Sarri warns coach Ianni not to be so stupid again

MAURIZIO SARRI will stand by his assistant Marco Ianni despite the touchline row with Jose Mourinho during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United. The Chelsea manager has, however, warned his coach not to be a ‘stupid man’ and learn from his error after he provoked Mourinho following Ross Barkley’s late equaliser at Stamford Bridge. Sarri, who is without Eden Hazard for tonight’s Europa League game against BATE Borisov because of a back injury, told Ianni to apologise to Mourinho after the game. The FA have since charged Ianni with improper conduct but Sarri will resist calls to demote him. He said: ‘We were wrong. I was there when Marco spoke to Mr Mourinho. He said sorry immediately. It’s important that he realised it to be wrong. ‘I want to give him another opportunity. I know the man and I know that he was really sorry. As for the FA, we were wrong so we have to accept the consequences.’ Sarri has told Hazard that he will need to accept rough treatment after a series of fouls by United led to his injury. Ashley Young and Nemanja Matic received yellow cards for challenges on the Belgian, who could also miss Sunday’s Premier League trip to Burnley. Sarri said: ‘We are trying to sort out the problem but it is not easy. I like English football very much for the aggression and I have no problem with United.’ Midfielder Jorginho will be rested by Chelsea tonight but defender Andreas Christensen returns to the side with a warning from Sarri that he will not be held to ransom by the Dane’s father, who said the defender would demand a transfer if his playing time does not increase. ‘I don’t want to answer to the father of Christensen, I want to answer to Andreas,’ Sarri said. Meanwhile, left back Marcos Alonso has signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2023.