Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is all set to return to Italy to become the new head coach of Serie A champions Juventus. The Italian manager has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with the club, which will see him leave Stamford Bridge after only a year in charge.
Maurizio Sarri’s agent Fali Ramadani came to an agreement with the Chelsea hierarchy on Friday which means that the former Napoli manager is free to take up the vacant job left by Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.
The 60-year old was criticized too often this season for not being able to adapt to English football. However, he managed to finish the season on a promising note with a Europa League trophy, a League Cup runners-up medal and much-needed Champions League qualification for next season.
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Chelsea’s 4-1 bashing of Arsenal in the Europa League final was a perfect example for what’s to come from the Londoners next season. Juventus, however, have struck a €6 million-per-season deal with Maurizio Sarri after failing to land their top managerial target, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
The news comes one day after Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard’s big-money transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed. The Belgian playmaker has departed the club after seven illustrious years and fans are already worrying about next season.
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If Sarri does leave for Turin, it could turn out to be a catastrophic situation for the Chelsea bosses who will not only have to replace their star-man but also their recently appointed manager.
Former Roma manager Claudio Ranieri, in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, reflected on his return to managing in the Serie A this past year. The Premier League title winner with Leicester also dropped a major hint about the future of his colleague and national compatriot Maurizio Sarri.
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“How did I find Italian football? An improvement and with the possibility of evolving again. The signs are positive. We are going to have a season that I imagine crackling: the premises where they are all, with the return of Sarri and Conte”, said Ranieri.
Sarri’s appointment could be announced as soon as early next week as Juventus need to start planning for next season. The eight straight Scudetti winners have already landed Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal on a free, and are looking to indulge in the potential transfers of more players in the ongoing summer transfer window.