Maurizio Sarri enjoyed a successful yet brief tenure as Chelsea’s head coach during the 2018-19 season before deciding to leave and return to his native Italy to manage Juventus.
Appointed in July 2018 as the successor to Antonio Conte, Sarri made an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.
His tactical approach and leadership steered Chelsea to a commendable fourth-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification.
Additionally, Sarri guided the team to glory in the Europa League, marking Chelsea’s first European trophy since 2013, and led them to the Carabao Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Throughout his time in charge, Sarri achieved an impressive win percentage of 61.9%, winning 39 out of the 63 matches Chelsea played under his management.
This record underlined his effectiveness in his first experience coaching a club outside of Italy.
Despite these accomplishments, Sarri opted to part ways with Chelsea after just one season, surprising many fans and pundits who believed he was laying the groundwork for long-term success at the club.
Reflecting on his decision, Sarri has since admitted that leaving Chelsea so soon was a mistake.
He revealed that his departure was influenced by various factors, including reported unease with the political climate surrounding the club.
Roman Abramovich’s ownership faced scrutiny and controversies at the time, creating an environment that reportedly left Sarri unsettled and reluctant to remain in London.
Feeling pressured by the circumstances, Sarri admitted to experiencing a sense of urgency and “panicking” when Juventus approached him with an offer.
Instead of renegotiating his future at Chelsea after a strong debut campaign, he chose to accept the opportunity to manage the Italian giants.
Although Sarri’s move to Juventus allowed him to return to more familiar surroundings, his time at Chelsea remains a significant chapter in his managerial career.
His single season at Stamford Bridge showcased his ability to adapt to English football and achieve notable results in a highly competitive environment.
Nevertheless, his premature departure is now viewed as a decision made under pressure rather than careful consideration, leaving Chelsea fans to wonder what might have been had he stayed to build on his promising start.
