It turns out the formula is simple. Sack your coach midway through the season when you’re so far behind the league leaders that the Champions League is the only realistic target, and, at least if you’re Chelsea, you end up winning it. Just as in 2012, when Roberto Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas to secure an unexpected triumph in Munich, so it was this season, with Thomas Tuchel stepping in for Frank Lampard and reinvigorating his side.
And Saturday's 1–0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League final in Porto was a victory primarily for Tuchel, who over the past few weeks has become only the second manager in history to beat Pep Guardiola in three successive matches.