In a dimly lit auditorium inside Baku's Olympic Stadium, Maurizio Sarri spent the final moments of his press conference speaking of a new-found bond with his players. 'At the beginning of the season, it was very difficult to understand my players,' admitted Sarri. 'To understand the mentality.But after a very difficult month in January they started to change, I think. Or probably I changed.'But in this moment, I love them because I have 20-22 wonderful men. So now I'm really very happy with them.And, of course, I have to consider it for the future. And I have to consider that I love English football.' The context to this reflection was a question by an Italian journalist, who invited Sarri to deliberate over links to Juventus. The Italian champions have reportedly sounded out Sarri and want him to replace Massimiliano Allegri. And here was Sarri, after a season dominated by friction, suggesting that his affection for the squad could see him spurn Juventus. Little more than an hour later, and such words rang hollow.There were pantomime scenes of Gonzalo Higuain and David Luiz squabbling, followed by Sarri's dumping of a baseball cap to the turf. The club claimed Sarri was angry over the media being allowed to watch training, but either way, it once more highlighted his volatile nature. This Europa League run has not always been easy for Sarri.His most vulnerable moment came in Malmo, as club chairman Bruce Buck sat in on his pre-match press conference. On the night of the Europa League knockout fixture, Buck went pitchside for a sharper view of the warm-up. Amid dismal form and dressing room disconnect, few backed Sarri to see out the season. Indeed, had his side lost the Carabao Cup final more comprehensively to Manchester City, he surely would have been axed. Several senior players believed his days were numbered.Now, following a third-placed Premier League finish and a possible Europa League triumph, Sarri should reflect with pride. Certainly, he should not be the manager feeling the strain at this final — Unai Emery is the man who needs a win to secure Champions League football. But Sarri, who has felt under-appreciated at times both by the boardroom and on the terraces, is evidently tempted by Juventus. It is worth remembering the lengths Chelsea went to in order to capture him last summer. The club's due diligence exposed a worrying history of homophobic and sexist remarks. Chelsea paid sizeable compensation to Napoli, despite the Italian club only releasing him in July. It may be that Sarri owes the club a little loyalty but this is a smart man with a background in the cut-throat world of banking. He knows that Chelsea can be a brutal environment for managers.He knows, too, the perils presented by a potential transfer ban and the impending exit of Eden Hazard, who will play his final game in a Chelsea shirt on Wednesday. Sarri must win a trophy of significance for the first time.He must also address his team's dismal record against top-six
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In a dimly lit auditorium inside Baku's Olympic Stadium, Maurizio Sarri spent the final moments of his press conference speaking of a new-found bond with his players. 'At the beginning of the season, it was very difficult to understand my players,' admitted Sarri. 'To understand the mentality.But after a very difficult month in January they started to change, I think. Or probably I changed.'But in this moment, I love them because I have 20-22 wonderful men. So now I'm really very happy with them.And, of course, I have to consider it for the future. And I have to consider that I love English football.' The context to this reflection was a question by an Italian journalist, who invited Sarri to deliberate over links to Juventus. The Italian champions have reportedly sounded out Sarri and want him to replace Massimiliano Allegri. And here was Sarri, after a season dominated by friction, suggesting that his affection for the squad could see him spurn Juventus. Little more than an hour later, and such words rang hollow.There were pantomime scenes of Gonzalo Higuain and David Luiz squabbling, followed by Sarri's dumping of a baseball cap to the turf. The club claimed Sarri was angry over the media being allowed to watch training, but either way, it once more highlighted his volatile nature. This Europa League run has not always been easy for Sarri.His most vulnerable moment came in Malmo, as club chairman Bruce Buck sat in on his pre-match press conference. On the night of the Europa League knockout fixture, Buck went pitchside for a sharper view of the warm-up. Amid dismal form and dressing room disconnect, few backed Sarri to see out the season. Indeed, had his side lost the Carabao Cup final more comprehensively to Manchester City, he surely would have been axed. Several senior players believed his days were numbered.Now, following a third-placed Premier League finish and a possible Europa League triumph, Sarri should reflect with pride. Certainly, he should not be the manager feeling the strain at this final — Unai Emery is the man who needs a win to secure Champions League football. But Sarri, who has felt under-appreciated at times both by the boardroom and on the terraces, is evidently tempted by Juventus. It is worth remembering the lengths Chelsea went to in order to capture him last summer. The club's due diligence exposed a worrying history of homophobic and sexist remarks. Chelsea paid sizeable compensation to Napoli, despite the Italian club only releasing him in July. It may be that Sarri owes the club a little loyalty but this is a smart man with a background in the cut-throat world of banking. He knows that Chelsea can be a brutal environment for managers.He knows, too, the perils presented by a potential transfer ban and the impending exit of Eden Hazard, who will play his final game in a Chelsea shirt on Wednesday. Sarri must win a trophy of significance for the first time.He must also address his team's dismal record against top-six
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