Thomas Tuchel has expressed his sympathy for Raheem Sterling, admitting that it is “sad to see” the former England star going through such a difficult period in his career and personal life.
Sterling, once regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking players in English football, is currently without a club after leaving Feyenoord at the end of last season. The 31-year-old has endured a dramatic decline since the peak of his career at Manchester City, with difficult spells at Chelsea and Arsenal followed by an unsuccessful stint in the Netherlands.
Tuchel knows Sterling particularly well. The England manager was the coach who pushed for the winger’s move from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2022, believing that the forward could become an important figure at Stamford Bridge. However, the move failed to produce the long-term success expected by many, and Sterling’s career has continued to move in an unexpected direction.
Speaking about the former England international, Tuchel admitted that he has a lot of sympathy for the player and believes Sterling has struggled since leaving Manchester City, where he was arguably at the peak of his career.
“I have a lot of sympathy for him and I feel that he has struggled ever since he left Man City and he was at the peak of his career,” Tuchel said.
The German coach also revealed just how strongly he believed in Sterling when he was at Chelsea, explaining that he personally fought for the transfer.
“I was fighting for this transfer and he could never prove the importance that he normally had,” Tuchel explained, reflecting on the decision to bring Sterling to Stamford Bridge.
For Tuchel, Sterling’s decline is particularly difficult to watch because he remembers the player and person he knew during their time together at Chelsea.
FROM MANCHESTER CITY STAR TO UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Sterling’s career trajectory has changed significantly since he left Manchester City.
At City, the winger established himself as one of the most productive attackers in the Premier League. He became a key member of Pep Guardiola’s side and played an important role in a team that won multiple Premier League titles and other major trophies.
Sterling’s ability to attack space, score goals and contribute from wide positions made him one of the most feared forwards in English football.
He also became a regular member of the England national team, eventually earning 82 international caps between 2012 and 2022.
However, his move to Chelsea represented the beginning of a difficult chapter.
Chelsea signed Sterling from Manchester City in 2022, with Tuchel playing a major role in bringing him to Stamford Bridge. The transfer was expected to give Chelsea an experienced Premier League goalscorer capable of making an immediate impact.
Although Sterling produced moments of quality during his time at Chelsea, he never consistently reached the level he had shown at Manchester City.
His situation became increasingly complicated after changes in management at Chelsea. Eventually, he was loaned to Arsenal for the 2024/25 season.
His spell at Arsenal proved disappointing. Sterling struggled to establish himself as a regular and finished the campaign with limited impact, scoring just once in 28 appearances for the Gunners, according to recent reports.
He subsequently returned to Chelsea before eventually agreeing to leave the club.
THE FEYENOORD CHAPTER
Sterling then attempted to revive his career in the Netherlands.
He joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal, hoping regular football would help him rediscover the form that had made him such an important player for Manchester City and England.
Unfortunately, that move did not provide the fresh start he had hoped for.
Sterling made eight Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord without scoring and was not retained beyond the end of the season. He is now a free agent and searching for another opportunity to continue his professional career.
That situation makes Tuchel’s comments particularly significant.
The England manager is not simply discussing a player whose form has dropped. He is speaking about someone whose career has moved from being one of the biggest names in English football to being without a club at the age of 31.
TUCHEL: “SAD TO SEE” STERLING STRUGGLE
Tuchel’s sympathy goes beyond Sterling’s footballing problems.
The former Chelsea manager described Sterling as a devoted father and a family man, saying that he had always been a nice person to have around.
“It’s sad to see that someone struggles because he was a devoted father to his children and he was a family guy, a nice guy to be around,” Tuchel said.
The comment highlights the personal connection between the two men.
Tuchel did not simply discuss Sterling’s statistics or his performances on the pitch. Instead, he spoke about the person behind the footballer.
The England manager also suggested that difficult periods in life can sometimes develop into what he described as a “downward spiral.”
“It just seems that he goes through a difficult period,” Tuchel said, adding that he was not sure how much of Sterling’s situation was his own fault.
Tuchel’s message was therefore less about criticism and more about compassion.
Rather than condemning Sterling for his recent difficulties, the England boss appeared to believe that the former Manchester City star deserves support and an opportunity to recover.
STERLING’S OFF-FIELD LEGAL PROBLEMS
Sterling’s footballing difficulties have also been accompanied by a legal issue.
The former England international recently pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide following a road incident.
The incident occurred in May, when Sterling’s Lamborghini was involved in a crash near the M25 and M3. He subsequently faced legal proceedings and is awaiting sentencing.
The legal situation has added another layer of uncertainty to a period that has already been extremely challenging for the player.
Sterling is therefore facing questions about both his professional future and his personal circumstances.
Tuchel acknowledged the difficult situation but stopped short of placing the blame entirely on Sterling.
“I’m not sure how much is his fault, sometimes you just enter a strange spiral in your life, a downward spiral,” he said.
That assessment is important because it shows that Tuchel is not pretending to know everything that Sterling is experiencing.
Instead, he offered his support while acknowledging that life can become complicated and difficult even for people who previously appeared to have everything under control.
A CAREER THAT ONCE LOOKED DESTINED FOR GREATNESS
Sterling’s current circumstances are particularly striking because of how successful his career once appeared.
He emerged as a teenage star at Liverpool before moving to Manchester City, where his career reached another level.
Under Guardiola, Sterling became a regular goalscorer and an important part of one of the Premier League’s most successful teams.
He won four Premier League titles with Manchester City and scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for the club, according to reports surrounding his Chelsea departure.
His England career was similarly impressive.
Sterling made his international debut in 2012 and became one of England’s most recognizable attacking players during the following decade.
He featured prominently at major international tournaments and was an important part of England’s journey to the Euro 2020 final.
At his best, Sterling possessed explosive pace, intelligent movement and the ability to create opportunities in dangerous areas.
That is why his current situation has surprised so many people within football.
A player who once appeared capable of remaining at the highest level for many more years is now searching for a club willing to give him another opportunity.
TUCHEL STILL BELIEVES STERLING CAN TURN THINGS AROUND
Despite everything that has happened, Tuchel has not written Sterling off.
The England manager believes the winger can still change the direction of his life and career.
“Thoughts are with him of course, the belief is always that he can turn it around and I wish him the best,” Tuchel said.
That may be the most important part of Tuchel’s message.
At 31, Sterling is not necessarily at the end of his footballing career. While his recent years have been difficult, he still has considerable experience at the highest level.
The challenge now is finding the right environment.
Sterling needs a club willing to trust him, give him an opportunity and help him rebuild his confidence. At the same time, he will need to demonstrate that he can still contribute at a competitive level.
The situation is undoubtedly more complicated than simply finding another club.
His recent performances, lack of regular football and ongoing legal matter are all factors that potential employers may consider.
Nevertheless, Tuchel’s comments demonstrate that there are still people in football who believe Sterling can recover.
WHY THE COMMENTS MATTER
Tuchel’s words are particularly significant because he was one of the managers who believed strongly enough in Sterling to make him a major Chelsea signing.
The German coach saw Sterling during his prime years at Manchester City and believed he could reproduce that level at Stamford Bridge.
Although Tuchel’s own time at Chelsea ended shortly after Sterling arrived, the manager remained aware of the player’s situation.
His latest comments suggest that he still remembers the qualities that made Sterling such an important player.
Rather than focusing solely on the winger’s recent struggles, Tuchel appears to be looking at the bigger picture.
He knows that football careers can change quickly.
A player can be a star one year and struggle to find a club a few seasons later.
Sterling’s situation is therefore a reminder of how unpredictable professional football can be.
WHAT COMES NEXT FOR RAHEEM STERLING?
The biggest question now is where Sterling goes from here.
With no club currently employing him, the winger must decide what the next stage of his career should look like.
A move to another European league could give him an opportunity to rebuild his reputation away from some of the intense scrutiny he has experienced in England.
Alternatively, another Premier League club could potentially offer him a route back if a manager believes he can rediscover his best form.
There is also the possibility that Sterling could spend time working on his fitness and preparing for his next opportunity.
At his age, retirement does not appear to be an immediate necessity. However, the longer he remains without a club, the more difficult it could become to return to the highest level.
For that reason, his next decision could prove crucial.
A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM TUCHEL
Ultimately, Tuchel’s comments were not about attacking Sterling or questioning his character.
They were about showing sympathy for a player who has experienced a dramatic change in circumstances.
The former Manchester City star went from being one of England’s most important players to struggling for regular football and eventually becoming a free agent.
Tuchel believes Sterling is going through a difficult period and hopes that he can find a way out of it.
For a player who once operated at the highest level of English football, the road back will not be easy.
But Tuchel’s message is clear: Sterling should not be defined entirely by his recent difficulties.
The England manager still believes there is a possibility for the winger to turn his situation around.
Whether that happens will ultimately depend on Sterling and the opportunities that come his way.
For now, however, Tuchel has made his position clear.
He feels sympathy for the former England star, regrets seeing him struggle and hopes that the player he once believed in can eventually find his way back.
After everything Sterling has achieved in English football, that comeback story would certainly be one of the most remarkable chapters of his career.
