Antonio Rüdiger names the most important coach of his career. This coach paved the way for him to Real Madrid.
Improver Thomas Tuchel? According to Antonio Rüdiger, England’s national football coach is beyond any doubt and has decisively influenced the career of the national player.
“He changed everything. To be honest, he was the coach who paved the way for me to play for Real Madrid today,” said the defender in the YouTube format “Long Story Shirt.”
Antonio Rüdiger is back after a long injury break
Rüdiger identified the Champions League victory in 2021 during their time together at FC Chelsea as a career turbo. “This title was my ticket – and he (note: Tuchel) was an important part for me,” the 32-year-old recalled.
What Rüdiger finds strange
The Berlin-born player cannot understand the recurring criticism that the 52-year-old Tuchel is a complex character away from his expertise.
“What I always find strange is when I hear that he is difficult. I don’t know what is supposed to be difficult.” Tuchel is a “top coach. Period.”
Rüdiger – in action for the Blues in 203 competitive games from 2017 to 2022 – met Tuchel in the winter break of the 2020/21 season.
Within six months, the German surprisingly led the Londoners to the Champions League triumph and remained Rüdiger’s coach in the following season before he moved to the Royals in Madrid in the summer of 2022.
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