June 17 – After just one season in charge, Maurizio Sarri has formally left Chelsea to return home and take over as Serie A champions Juventus, it was officially announced after weeks of reports that a deal was being concluded.
Remarkably Sarri, who arrived at Chelsea in July 2018 on a three-deal deal, will become the ninth full-time manager to leave the club under owner Roman Abramovich.
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.
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.
Sarri, who joined Chelsea from Napoli in July 2018, led them to third in the Premier League and won the Europa League in his one season in charge. Reports say compensation in excess of £5m has been agreed between the two clubs for the 60-year-old.
“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,” Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said in statement.
“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.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734844119labto1734844119ofdlr1734844119owedi1734844119sni@w1734844119ahsra1734844119w.wer1734844119dna1734844119