Chelsea sensationally ‘wanted Maurizio Sarri BACK to replace Frank Lampard’ before move was stopped
Maurizio Sarri reportedly agreed to make a sensational return to Chelsea to replace Frank Lampard last month, only for the deal to be stopped in its tracks by Blues chairman Roman Abramovich.
An outlandish report in Italy has claimed that the 62-year-old was ‘fought for’ by Blues director Marina Granovskaia, following Lampard’s sacking at the end of January.
According to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato, Sarri was close to becoming Chelsea manager for a second time but is now gunning for the Napoli job this summer instead.
Maurizio Sarri was close to a sensational return with Chelsea, according to reports in Italy
Reports in Italy claim that the Italian boss’ return was ‘fought for’ by Marina Granovskaia (right)
‘Chelsea, after having sacked Lampard, wanted Sarri,’ Venerato told RAI Sport via Area Napoli. ‘Marina Granovskaia, in particular, fought for his return.
‘Sarri had said “yes” to Chelsea but Roman Abramovich stopped everything. Sarri’s wife and son are pushing for Maurizio’s return to Naples.’
The startling claims come 18 months after Sarri left Stamford Bridge to join Juventus – where he only lasted one season before being sacked.
Italian journalist Ciro Venerato claims Sarri’s return was stopped in its tracks by Abramovich
The Blues were looking to replace Frank Lampard after sacking him at the end of January
Sarri’s tumultuous year in west London did end with silverware after he guided the club to Europa League glory.
But his tenure was not seen as an over-successful one.
In 63 matches in charge of Chelsea, Sarri managed 40 wins, 11 draws and 12 losses, managing an average of 2.08 points per game.
However, his rigid style of managing and his tactical stubbornness saw him criticised by Blues fans, with the club finishing third and in the Champions League places.
Sarri only spent one full season before leaving Stamford Bridge to take over at Juventus
While the report in RAI Sport claimed Sarri was close to a return, Chelsea eventually did end up appointing Lampard’s successor not long after in the form of Thomas Tuchel.
Since his appointment, Tuchel has managed to pick up 14 points from a possible 18, in what has been a promising start for the German.
The former Paris Saint-Germain manager has also guided Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and pulled off a brilliant first-leg victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, which sees them take a 1-0 scoreline into the club’s home fixture.
