Maurizio Sarri’s time at Chelsea may have lasted just one season, but it was anything but uneventful. Appointed in the summer of 2018 to succeed Antonio Conte, Sarri arrived with a reputation for attractive football from his successful stint at Napoli.
Under his guidance, Chelsea won the Europa League, securing a 4-1 victory over Arsenal in the final.
They also finished third in the Premier League and reached the League Cup final, though that campaign is often remembered for the infamous standoff with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Despite these achievements, Sarri made the surprising decision to leave Chelsea after the 2018-19 season, returning to Italy to manage Juventus.
Now, five years later, the Italian tactician admits that leaving Stamford Bridge was a significant mistake. “I could have stayed at Chelsea,” Sarri admitted. “I wanted to come back to Italy because the situation at Chelsea was not easy. Abramovich was not allowed to go to England. I only saw him at games abroad. We had some telephone calls but not very often.”
Sarri’s primary point of contact at the club was Marina Granovskaia, Chelsea’s influential director during his tenure. However, the absence of a clear sporting director created an environment of uncertainty.
“I was a little worried about the situation inside the club. It was not clear. I asked Marina if it was possible to go back to Italy, and she asked for some money from Juventus to set me free,” Sarri explained.
Though Chelsea gave him the option to stay, Sarri opted to leave. In hindsight, he regrets this decision: “It would have been better to stay there. At the end of the season with Chelsea, it was a good experience and good results. We got third place in the Premier League, reached the final of the Carabao Cup, and won the Europa League.”
Sarri’s tenure was marked by both memorable victories and devastating losses. While the Europa League triumph stands out, there were moments of disaster, such as a crushing 6-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth
Despite these setbacks, Sarri’s style of play and results suggested the potential for a longer-term impact at Stamford Bridge. Reflecting on his time at the club, Sarri remarked:
“We played a lot of good matches. Of course, there were two or three disasters, but overall, it was a good experience.”
Having managed Juventus and Lazio since leaving Chelsea, Sarri is now ready to take on a new challenge. “Now I am ready to start again. I don’t know where at the moment, but me and the staff are ready,” he said.
For Chelsea fans, Sarri’s reflections raise questions about what might have been had he stayed. With a Europa League title and a solid league campaign under his belt, the Italian had laid a foundation that might have evolved into something greater.
Sarri’s regrets underscore the complexities of football management, where decisions are often influenced by factors beyond the pitch. Regardless, his single season at Chelsea remains a unique and fascinating chapter in the club’s history.