Chelsea
have announced that manager Maurizio Sarri has joined Juventus on a
three-year contract.
The Italian succeeds Massimiliano Allegri after informing Chelsea, who will
get £5m in compensation, of his desire to return to his native country
following their triumph in the Europa League.
Sarri's departure is set to pave the way for Frank Lampard to return to
Stamford Bridge as boss, with Chelsea expected to approach his current club
Derby, who have been trying to offer him a new deal.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has suggested the club could not stand
in the way of Sarri's "strong desire" to return to Italy and be closer to
his elderly parents.
"In talks we had following the Europa League final, Maurizio made it clear
how strongly he desired to return to his native country, explaining that his
reasons for wanting to return to work in Italy were significant," she said.
"He also believed it important to be nearer his family, and for the
well-being of his elderly parents he felt he needed to live closer to them
at this point.
"Maurizio leaves Chelsea with thanks from us all for the work he and his
assistants did during the season he spent as our head coach, and for winning
the Europa League, guiding us to another cup final and a third-place finish
in the Premier League.
"We would also like to congratulate him on securing the role as big as any
in Serie A and to wish him the best of luck for the future."
Sarri leaves Chelsea after just one season in which they finished third in
the Premier League and lifted the 60-year-old's first major trophy as a
manager
This is despite Blues fans expressing their discontent at his 'Sarri-ball'
tactics and team selections, notably during the 2-0 home defeat to
Manchester United in the FA Cup in February.
His replacement will not be able to sign any new players at Chelsea, whose
ongoing FIFA transfer ban is pending an appeal lodged with the Court of
Arbitration for Sport.
Harry Redknapp - Lampard's uncle - believes the ex-West Ham and Manchester
City player can bring through a new wave of young talent from their academy,
however, and will not struggle to exert his authority on the dressing room
as a former Chelsea great.
Chelsea will start their 2019/20 Premier League campaign with a clash
against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 11, live on Sky
Sports, after the fixtures were released on Thursday morning.
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