Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed England football manager, has been dating Brazilian businesswoman Natalie Guerriero Max since 2022. Their relationship began shortly after Tuchel’s divorce from his ex-wife, Sissi, and has garnered significant public attention. Max, 37, is 13 years younger than the German coach and works as a director at the consulting agency Natexo, where she has been since 2014.
Tuchel’s relationship with Max reportedly started in May 2022, just a month after his marriage ended in April of that year. Tuchel and Max were first seen together on holiday in Sardinia in July 2022, marking a key moment in their relationship. According to friends, the couple is “smitten” and has been spending significant time together in west London. Max, who lives in London with her two children from a previous relationship and a pet dog, is said to be fully embraced by Tuchel’s inner circle. Friends of Max have shared that Tuchel has been very welcoming and is committed to the relationship for the long term.
Before his relationship with Max, Tuchel was married to Sissi, with whom he shares two daughters, Emma and Kim. The couple had been together for 13 years before their marriage came to an end. Sissi, a journalist by profession, had left her role at the German newspaper *Süddeutsche Zeitung* to focus on raising their two children, particularly as the family settled in Cobham, Surrey, when Tuchel took over as Chelsea’s head coach in 2021.
Sissi played a vital role in Tuchel’s personal and professional life during their marriage. She was a visible and supportive presence, particularly during key moments of his career, such as Chelsea’s Champions League victory in 2021. However, despite their attempts to salvage the relationship, the marriage could not be saved. Sources close to the family revealed that the couple “exhausted all avenues” before deciding to divorce. After the split, both Tuchel and Sissi focused on ensuring the well-being of their daughters.
Rumors about Tuchel’s personal life, especially his new relationship with Max, became a topic of conversation within Chelsea’s dressing room during his time at the club. Players reportedly gossiped about his private affairs, which some believe contributed to a shift in their perception of Tuchel as their manager. This speculation was further fueled by the turbulence surrounding his dismissal from Chelsea in 2022. Although publicly attributed to poor performance and clashes with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, pundits suggested that off-field issues, including Tuchel’s personal life, played a role in his departure.
Simon Jordan, a football commentator, hinted that Tuchel’s sacking wasn’t solely due to a loss against Dinamo Zagreb. Jordan noted that “a whole raft of other things” led to Boehly’s decision to dismiss the German coach. While the specifics were left for Boehly to reveal, Jordan implied that these off-field issues had become a significant factor.
Tuchel’s fiery personality and managerial style have occasionally led to conflict throughout his career. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, tensions between him and the club’s leadership led to a breakdown in relations. Described as a “toxic mix of mistrust and communication failure,” Tuchel eventually left Dortmund after burning bridges with key figures at the club. Similarly, at Paris Saint-Germain, Tuchel frequently clashed with sporting director Leonardo over transfer policies, contributing to his departure from the French club.
Despite the controversies surrounding his personal and professional life, Tuchel remains one of football’s top managers. His relationship with Max seems to be a stabilizing factor, offering him personal happiness as he embarks on his new challenge as England’s national team manager.