Chelsea have now officially confirmed the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as their new boss. The Italian has signed a three-year deal with the Premier League club.
The Blues have moved quickly to replace Sarri’s compatriot Antonio Conte, who parted company with the club on Friday. Napoli’s president yesterday confirmed that Sarri was set to become the Chelsea boss, as the Italian club and the new Blues were still in talks over his exit.
Sarri is a highly-rated boss
Maurizio Sarri is known for some questionable behaviour. However, he is even more well known for his managerial ability. Sarri had Napoli fighting it out toe-to-toe with dominant Serie A champions Juventus for a number of seasons.
He created an exciting and attacking team in Naples. However, Juventus just always had the upper hand on Sarri and his side. On a relatively small budget, though he did a fantastic job with the Azzurri.
Unlike some of his predecessors at Chelsea, the 59-year-old likes his team to play free-flowing football and the Blues fans should be in for a treat in the coming season, especially if Sarri is allowed to bring in players that will fit his way of playing.
Maurizio Sarri has a very famous fan in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who once said he loved to watch Napoli under Sarri. That is high praise indeed from a boss of such good standing. The former Napoli boss is regarded as an innovator and the great Italian boss Arrigo Sacchi once described him as ‘a genius’.
Chelsea is a difficult job
The Chelsea job is a difficult one for any head coach. They may be handed the resources to create outstanding teams, but they are also under immense pressure to deliver as well.
The shelf life of a Blues boss is not very long at all, just ask Conte. If they are not competing for the big trophies, then owner Roman Abramovich and the clubs hierarchy swings the axe.
Naples may be a football-mad city, but the expectations are lower at the Italian club. They know the odds are against them in Serie A because of Juventus’ stranglehold on the title.
Sarri failed to deliver the title in Naples. However, he will not last very long in South West London if he fails to deliver the big trophies. It is vital that he makes a good start to his Chelsea career.
Premier League title tough to win
The Italian title is tough to win, but in England, there are now four or five teams that could legitimately challenge for the title next season.
Sarri has to make sure that Chelsea remains one of those teams next season. The Blues finished fifth-place last season, but I have no doubts that they will finish higher in the table in the new campaign.
If any boss can turn Chelsea into champions, then it is Maurizio Sarri, as the Italian has the character and most importantly ability to bring the title back to South West London.
Will Maurizio Sarri be successful at Chelsea?
