Peter Henry
It came as no great surprise earlier today when it was announced that Maurizio Sarri would be leaving Chelsea to take over as manager of Serie A champions Juventus.
Sarri only took over as Chelsea boss from fellow countryman Antonio Conte last summer and, on paper at least, the 60-year-old enjoyed a successful season at Stamford Bridge: finishing in third place in the Premier League, reaching the Carabao Cup final, and winning the Europa League.
However, that does not tell the full story of the former Napoli boss’ tenure, with his previously heralded ‘Sarri-ball‘ style of play coming in for heavy criticism from his own club’s fans and many pundits. In fact, Sarri is a hugely unpopular figure with the Stamford Bridge faithful and cries of ‘f*ck Sarri-ball’ could regularly be heard at Chelsea games over the last few months.
Considering how divisive Sarri had become amongst his clubs fans and the Blues upcoming transfer ban, few can deny that taking over at Italy’s most successful club is a logical move for the 60-year-old. As always the great and good of Football Twitter have reacted in typical style:
Chelsea paid this tribute to their outgoing boss.
Thank you and good luck for the future, Maurizio. 👍 pic.twitter.com/dGHzekBNPT
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 16, 2019
While the Guardian chart what has been a rollercoaster year in English Football for Sarri.
Chelsea have confirmed that Maurizio Sarri has left the club after one season as head coach and joined Juventus pic.twitter.com/ppgZaAcQZt
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) June 16, 2019
Others have questioned whether the much heralded ‘Sarri-ball’ may have become more evident next season.
The disappointing thing about Maurizio Sarri's exit is that we never got to see the second season. He was claiming that once his tactical methods were really understood by the players then Chelsea would have reaped the rewards. Shame we didn't see whether that was hot air or not
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) June 16, 2019
It’s also pretty clear Sarri has come out well after being heavily linked with the sack just a few months back.
Only three months ago the idea of Sarri leaving Chelsea on his own terms for a better job seemed utterly fanciful. A fitting conclusion to a surreal season #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) June 16, 2019
Sarri spent a season in English football, was battered by his own fans, won a European trophy, qualified for the Champions League, and now goes back to manage Italy's best club with his reputation enhanced. Fair play 👏
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) June 16, 2019
And of course the chain-smoking Italians love of cigarettes was put to good use…
OFFICIAL: Maurizio Sarri has been appointed as the new Juventus manager pic.twitter.com/7syUnxAwOV
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 16, 2019
Sarri celebrating his move to Juventus pic.twitter.com/HXSvTF2Upg
— Bertie (@bertiekemm) June 16, 2019
Although there can be no doubt as to which incident Sarri will be most remembered for as time goes by…
He secured a 3rd place finish in the @premierleague and wrapped up the @EuropaLeague title in his first season at @ChelseaFC, but it was not always plain sailing for Maurizio Sarri at the club…⛵🔵
Remember when Kepa refused to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final!? 😳 pic.twitter.com/32Sypfucnq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 16, 2019
Kepa in the Chelsea changing room after seeing Maurizio Sarri has left pic.twitter.com/WAG2EN5imD
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) June 16, 2019
We’re contractually obliged to include an Inbetweeners reference in every Twitter Reacts post.
https://twitter.com/elsadb16/status/1140252633904668672
Sarri was often lamented for his preference to use Jorginho instead of N’Golo Kante at the base of his midfield, and seeing how things work out for the Italy international at Stamford Bridge will certainly be an interesting sub-plot…
https://twitter.com/Mulalo_SA/status/1140267396072116225
Like we said on paper at least Sarri does depart west London with a pretty impressive update for his CV.
12 – Maurizio Sarri remained unbeaten in his opening 12 Premier League games, the longest unbeaten start by any manager in the competition. Arrivederci. pic.twitter.com/jqGAf1otvI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2019
Maurizio Sarri at @ChelseaFC:
⚽️ 63 games
✅ 39 wins
🤝 13 draws
❌ 11 losses
📊 61.9% win rate🥈 Carabao Cup finalist
🏆 Europa League winnerLeaving on a high. pic.twitter.com/3b340XV8Oy
— 433 (@433) June 16, 2019
It seems leaving Chelsea and then taking over a Serie A club is all the rage these days…
Napoli: Carlo Ancelotti
Inter Milan: Antonio Conte
Juventus: Maurizio SarriThese Serie A managers will have a lot to talk about next season. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/PO1Cs2cr6d
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 16, 2019
Chelsea Football Club summed up in a tweet…
Chelsea's last 5 trophy-winning managers stayed an average of 101 days after the win:
Sarri – left 18 days after Europa League
Conte – 55 days after FA Cup
Mourinho – 228 days after PL
Benitez – Mourinho appointed 19 days after Europa League
Di Matteo – 186 days after CL pic.twitter.com/6zWQYaJW35— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) June 16, 2019
Read Also: The five favourites to take over as Chelsea manager
A plug for Frank Lampard to be the next #Chelsea boss and why they may defy all logic and win silverware next season even with a transfer ban. 🎧
Check out the full pod below👇https://t.co/aWWmLCXrnz pic.twitter.com/pjhyAq5OYA
— Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) June 7, 2019