Football Sarri hoping for an enjoyable time as Chelsea boss
MAURIZIO Sarri has vowed to bring enjoyment back for Chelsea after being appointed Antonio Conte’s successor as head coach at the Premier League club. The 59-year-old Sarri was confirmed as the London club’s new boss on Saturday, 24 hours after Conte was sacked. The former Napoli coach hopes to win trophies with the Blues, but acknowledges the calibre of opposing managers in the Premier League makes that a challenge. Sarri has given his first interview since joining Chelsea, speaking to official club app “First of all I want to play my football, I want to enjoy myself. And probably I want also to win something,” said Sarri. The 5th Stand. “With one or two adjustments we can try to play my football. “It’s impossible in my job to promise something, but I surely would give all my possessions to win something with Chelsea.” Chelsea finished fifth in the Premier League last season, 30 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and behind Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Conte was axed last Friday, 55 days after leading the Blues to the FA Cup and a year after signing an improved contract, but not an extension, following the 2016-17 Premier League title success in his first campaign in England. There appeared to be little fun going on at Chelsea at times last season. Sarri, speaking in English in a video interview, added: “Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the most important championship in Europe. “In the Premier League there are all the most important coaches in Europe, maybe in the world. “It will be for me very exciting to play against Guardiola, Pochettino, Mourinho, Klopp and the others. “I think Chelsea is a good team. The problem is that in England there are another five, six, very good teams.” Sarri’s first game as boss is scheduled to be the July 23 friendly against Perth Glory in Western Australia.