CHELSEA will be without Thomas Tuchel in the dugout for the start of their Fifa Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal.
The semi-final match will take place at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi – but an unfamiliar face to most casual fans will be in the technical area for the Blues.
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Why is Thomas Tuchel not on the touchline at the Club World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel tested positive for Covid in the build-up to the Blues’ 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round.
As a result he has had to isolate for seven days but can fly out to Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Who is Arno Michels?
Arno Michels worked as Tuchel’s assistant manager at Mainz, before following him on to Borussia Dortmund and then Paris Saint-Germain.
The pair met when they were working on their coaching qualifications in 2009 and Tuchel asked Michels to be his assistant when he was offered the job.
As with most top managers, Michels is the enforcer of Tuchel’s philosophy out on the training ground: attacking play, done quickly.
He played out most of his career in the fourth tiers of German football and began coaching with Eintracht Trier and LV Ahlen.
Is Arno Michels married and does he have any kids?
Arno Michels is married to Christina Michels and the pair have two children, Nicolas and Luca.
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