New Chelsea manager Sarri found out he was sacked as Napoli coach on TV

New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri revealed on Friday that he found out he was sacked as coach of his previous club Napoli on television.

Sarri had two years left on his contract after leading his hometown club to challenge champions Juventus for the title last season.

But after Sarri asked for more time to consider his future, former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as new coach of the Serie A runners-up.

The 59-year-old Sarri told Il Mattino: “We were having dinner ... discussing whether or not to stay. We turned on the TV and we saw Ancelotti entering Filmauro (the headquarters of Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis).”

“I had some doubts, that’s fair, but there was a clause in the contract and it wasn’t something I had asked for. The timing wasn’t respected.”

“Now I hope that Ancelotti can achieve what I came so close to,” he said.

Napoli won their last Serie A title in 1990.

Sarri – who took over from another Italian Antonio Conte at Chelsea – has won his first four games in England.

“I didn’t win anything in Naples. Conte here has won (Premier League 2016-2017) and it is difficult to take his place,” said Sarri.

“Here it is totally different: it is an absolute party, it is a pleasure to arrive in the stadiums and see the fans with different shirts drinking a beer together.”