June 14 – Most clubs whose head coach manages to win one of UEFA’s two European club trophies in his first season as well as finish third in the domestic league would consider that a resounding success.
But then most clubs aren’t Chelsea.
After just a season in charge, a deal has been reached for Maurizio Sarri to leave the club and join Serie A champions Juventus, according to UK reports, with former playing favourite Frank Lampard lined up to be Chelsea’s first English manager in 23 years.
Reports say compensation has been agreed between Chelsea and Juventus for Sarri, who won the Europa League last month, to leave.
Despite that success Sarri was an unpopular figure among many Chelsea supporters because of his style of play.
Remarkably Sarri, who arrived in July 2018 on a three-deal deal, will become the ninth full-time manager to leave Chelsea under owner Roman Abramovich.
After thrashing Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final, Sarri said “he deserved” to stay with the club.
Chelsea are currently unable to sign any players after they were banned for two transfer windows by FIFA – a decision they are appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Their star player Eden Hazard has since joined Real Madrid for a fee that could exceed £150 million.
Significantly, Chelsea have not asked for the suspension to be put on hold until a final decision is reached. It means their only new arrival might be USA forward Christian Pulisic, a £58 million signing from Borussia Dortmund in January, who spent the remainder of the campaign on loan in Germany and is currently in the US on national team duty at the Gold Cup.
Juventus are manager-less after Massimiliano Allegri left at the end of last season, having won the league title in each of his five seasons since taking charge in 2014.
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