The analysis of Chelsea performance under three different coaches during the English Premier League 2022/2023 season / Aliff Azri ... [et al.].

The essence of a football club’s success fundamentally hinges on its performance. In professional football, the dismissal of a coach is a significant and common occurrence, typically considered when the team’s results fall short of the board’s expectations. It is widely acknowledged among researchers that poor performance is a primary factor driving coaching changes. Despite extensive research on this subject, the impact of coaching changes on team performance remains ambiguous. Recent managerial changes at Chelsea have raised debate regarding their impact on team performance, reflecting a long history of trophy-chasing and frequent coach turnover. This study analyzed 38 matches of Chelsea FC from the 2022/2023 English Premier League season to evaluate and compare the team’s performance under the coaching of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Frank Lampard throughout their respective tenures. All matches were assessed based on the effectiveness and failure rates of short passes, long passes, shots, crosses, and tackles. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in two performance indicators (unsuccessful short passes and unsuccessful shots) across the three coaches. The results suggest a notable decline in team performance following each coaching transition. The findings of this study indicate that changes in coaching can cause destabilization within a team’s internal structure and staffing, potentially leading to a decline in performance. Coaches typically require at least one year to implement tactical changes effectively and ensure that players adapt to their strategic approach. The limited duration of less than a year provided to Chelsea’s coaches has likely contributed to a decline in team performance.