Sarri: My Chelsea play just like City
MAURIZIO SARRI insists he will leave Chelsea immediately if he is judged purely on the outcome of next week’s Europa League final against Arsenal.
The Italian’s future is uncertain after fans turned against him following a mid-season slump and he has emerged as a possible replacement for Max Allegri at Juventus.
Sarri parried questions on the Juventus connection, claiming his mind is focused on the final in Baku.
But the 60-year-old made it clear his first season at Stamford Bridge should not hinge on the result of one game. ‘If the situation is like this I want to go immediately,’ said Sarri. ‘You cannot do 10 months of work and then I have to play for everything in 90 minutes.
‘It’s not the right way. You’re either happy about my work or you’re not happy.’
Chelsea will gauge the feelings of senior players before making a decision on Sarri’s position.
Players have long held doubts over Sarri’s tactical approach and some have found his training sessions monotonous.
Chelsea finished third in the Premier League and the club will be back in the Champions League next season. They lost on penalties to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and the Europa League is their last chance of a trophy.
‘I can only work,’ said Sarri. ‘I can only try and improve my team. I can only try to play better, to win more matches. I don’t know what more to do.
‘I have a two-year contract here and I have no contact with other clubs at the moment. I have to speak to my club first of all after the final. I want to know if they are happy with me or not. I am very happy to stay in the Premier League and I think Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the Premier League.
‘In every season you have to discuss the situation with the club. In my opinion, we had a very good season. Of course we have to do more. We need to improve more.
‘As for my football, in the last two years Manchester City have won everything in England and their way is not like mine but it is similar. So we can play my football in England.’
Arsenal must win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League, something Sarri fears may give them an edge.
‘We risk having less motivation than the opponents but you have to consider the pressure and they have more pressure on them,’ said Sarri. ‘There is a positive side and a negative side.
‘We didn’t want to play this final for a Champions League place. We wanted the Champions League through the Premier League. Then we wanted to win a trophy. So the final is very important for us. We aren’t playing for Champions League, but we feel we deserve to win a trophy.’