The Upshot Thomas Tuchel on the pull in Notting Hill | The funniest stories in sport this week
Jan 8, 2026
The hosts share a humorous encounter with Thomas Tuchel in Notting Hill, leading to a lively debate about manager nightlife. They discuss the surprising dismissal of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United and the chaos surrounding interim coaching roles. In sports coverage, they poke fun at Brendan McCullum doing crosswords during the Ashes, and highlight bizarre AFCON moments, including meddling presidents and enthusiastic fans. The banter continues with Jack Grealish's festive escapades and a hilarious take on Michael Owen's Christmas dinner rankings.
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Tuchel Seen Drinking In West London
- JP encountered Thomas Tuchel off his chops at Kensington Roof Gardens and got curt treatment from the manager.
- Another listener reported Tuchel was polite and offered to sort a rude bartender and buy a drink on a different night.
Ruben Amorim’s Short, Tumultuous Tenure
- Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United after public comments about dressing-room tensions and clashes with the sporting structure.
- He had briefly switched formation to four at the back before being dismissed days later.
Club Structures Can Doom Managers Fast
- Managers publicly clashing with sporting directors often signal deeper structural problems at elite clubs.
- Chelsea and Manchester United illustrate how governance and transfer disagreements can destabilize coaching jobs.