Former Napoli manager Sarri handed Chelsea job
LONDON:CHELSEA finally got their man on Saturday with Maurizio Sarri succeeding Antonio Conte as manager on a three-year deal after conclusion of protracted negotiations over compensation.
The 59-year-old former Napoli head coach becomes Roman Abramovich’s ninth full-time manager in his 15 years as owner less than 24 hours after Conte parted company with the club he led to a league title and the FA Cup in his two years there.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “We are delighted to welcome Maurizio and are looking forward to him bringing his football philosophy to Chelsea.”
Napoli are believed to have held out for at least £4.5million in compensation whilst according to reports Sarri will be paid £5.7million a year. He had remained under contract with them even after they appointed Carlo Ancelotti as his successor
Sarri, a chain-smoking former banker, said he would be starting “and meeting the players” on Monday ahead of Chelsea’ pre-season Australia tour. “I hope we can provide some entertaining football for our fans, and that we will be competing for trophies at the end of the season, which is what this club deserves,” he said.
Winning trophies didn’t save Conte being shown the Stamford Bridge exit door and he didn’t get a chance to say farewell to the players on being notified by chairman Bruce Buck on Thursday afternoon as they had left the training ground.
Chelsea believe they have got in Sarri an astute tactician who produces sides playing exciting football with his three years at Napoli harvesting two secondplaced finishes in Serie A.
Indeed his style of football gained him the rare tribute of having it termed “Sarri-ball”.
Sarri was also credited with nurturing young talent, although there were gripes that he wasn’t one for rotating the squad – a habit he may have to change with the more frenetic programme in England – leaving several players drained and others not happy they were left kicking their heels.
Granovskaia, a close confidant of Abramovich’s, said that even though the unconventional Sarri is yet to win a trophy his style of play will prove a crowd pleaser at the very least.
“Maurizio’s Napoli side played some of the most exciting football in Europe, impressing with their attacking approach and dynamism,” she noted.
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
Day’s best: Double: