Maurizio Sarri: 'Leaving Chelsea was a sensational mistake'

By Sammy Wynne | 06 July 2021

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri admits that he made a "sensational mistake" when he decided to leave Stamford Bridge to return to Italy with Juventus in 2019.

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has admitted that leaving Stamford Bridge for Juventus was a "sensational mistake".

The current Lazio boss spent one season with the Blues during the 2018-19 campaign, when he guided the side to a Europa League triumph, beating London rivals Arsenal in the final.

However, following his debut season in the Premier League, Sarri was keen on a return to Italy, despite Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia wanting him to stay.

Speaking to AlfredoPedulla.com, Sarri said: "At Chelsea I made a sensational mistake, that of wanting to return to Italy at all costs. Marina stonewalled me to leave Chelsea, I had this desire to return to Italy. Chelsea are a great club, in the following years they have taken many young people suitable for me.

"I experienced a particular year, in which Roman Abramovich could not enter England and we had an owner who was not present in the area.

"A rather difficult situation, all in the hands of Marina and she had a thousand problems to solve, the football aspect was in the hands of us of the staff, not having the economic power available. Then came Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech: all suited to me and my way of playing."

Sarri went on to win the Serie A title with Juve before being replaced by Andrea Pirlo last summer.