Sarri is on easy street at Blues, claims Benitez
Rafa Bentitez insists Maurizio Sarri will find managing Chelsea “easier’’ than his last job at Napoli. Newcastle boss Benitez is one of 10 managers appointed by the Roman Abramovich regime – and Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink both spent two spells in charge – since the Russian billionaire bought the Blues 15 years ago. But despite the hireand-fire policy, Benitez says the structure Sarri has inherited at Stamford Bridge provides him with the platform to challenge for the Premier League title. Sarri is 59, a year older than Benitez, and has had to bide his time before reaching the upper echelons of coaching. He made his mark leading Empoli to promotion to Serie A in 2014. A year later, he returned to his native Naples to succeed Benitez as Napoli boss. Napoli quickly showed an improvement under Sarri. Benitez finished third and fifth in Italy’s top flight in his two seasons at Stadio San Paolo. But Napoli came no lower than third in Sarri’s three seasons there, including two terms as runners-up. Chelsea turned to Sarri when they parted company with Antonio Conte this summer after their failure to qualify for the Champions League. And Benitez, whose side host the Blues today, said: “At Chelsea, even if they change managers, the structure is there. “The majority of the people have been there for years and know their jobs. I think Sarri will have fewer things to worry about because he will concentrate on football and other things there are working already. “When you have everything in place, it’s not difficult. It was different for Conte because he came from Juventus where everything is in place. Napoli is a bit different, but I think it’s easier for Sarri now when you have the structure in place. “When he was at Napoli, they were doing well and he was close to the title. Maybe, with a couple of years more, he could have won the title, but Juventus are strong.’’ Jorginho, who followed Sarri to Chelsea this summer in a £50millionplus deal, was signed by Benitez for Napoli and the Magpies’ boss believes the midfielder, 26, will prosper in the Premier League. Benitez said: “We were looking for a player who could pass the ball and that’s his main strength. “You have the physicality of England, but he has a team around him with quality, so he can pass the ball. I think he will do well.’’ Benitez, who said it was “a miracle’’ Newcastle finished 10th last season, has seen his side pick up just a point from their first two games. But Benitez maintains a potentially lean start won’t shape Newcastle’s season. He said: “You can see that teams have spent millions and millions and they are losing games. “We are still confident we will do well.’’