Sarri Safe For Now But Chelsea Future Remains In The Balance
Maurizio Sarri is set to continue as Chelsea head coach, for now, but forthcoming fixtures could determine his fate.
Owner Roman Abramovich is not renowned for his patience and the humiliating losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City, followed by the reaction of the fans during
Monday’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United , could result in Sarri’s departure.
Press Association Sport understands Chelsea are preparing with Sarri for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Malmo – they hold a 2-1 first-leg advantage – with Sunday’s Carabao Cup final clash versus City following.
Chelsea beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-0 in December and Sarri maintains, despite the 6-0 reverse at the Etihad Stadium on February 10, his side can earn the first trophy of his career.
Then follows a derby with arch-rivals Tottenham on February 27, where defeat would see Chelsea lose further ground in the bid for Champions League qualification through the Premier League. The Blues are sixth, behind Arsenal on goals scored.
Historically, as Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas will attest, it was when their top-four hopes were floundering that Chelsea made a change in the dugout.
Already under pressure following the 6-0 City loss, which was Chelsea’s biggest defeat in 28 years – swiftly following the 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth, the worst in 22 years – Sarri was left in no doubt at the strength of the fans’ feelings towards him.
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| Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has not been seen at a game this season (Mike Egerton/PA) |
Not since Rafael Benitez was interim boss has the unhappiness with a Chelsea manager been voiced so vociferously by the Blues fans, and that was due to the Spaniard’s history with Liverpool.
One saving grace for Sarri may be that Abramovich was not there to hear the dissent for himself.
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