Sarri Offered Roma Coaching Job

Maurizio Sarri has been offered an escape route from Chelsea with Roma keen on bringing him back to Italy in the summer.

Sarri is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge after a string of humiliating defeats by Bournemouth, Arsenal and Manchester City in recent weeks.

And the fans appeared to turn on him during a disappointing FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Manchester United on Monday night.

With his future at Chelsea so unclear, Roma have appeared to move quickly to try and install him as manager for next season.

Franco Baldini and president James Pallotta have had dinner with Sarri in London, according to La Reppublica.

The Italian newspaper explains that current boss Eusebio Di Francesco is ‘very likely’ to leave at the end of the season, with sporting director Monchi’s future uncertain.

Sarri, who came close to delivering the Serie A title to Napoli last season, would be Roma’s ‘first choice’ according to the report. 

Roma are fifth in Serie A after 24 games played and face Frosinone on Saturday.

Sportsmail reported this week that Sarri is is facing a virtually impossible task to save his job.

He faces a crucial week as he bids to cling to power. Chelsea take a slender 2-1 advantage into Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Malmo before facing Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

They then face Tottenham in the Premier League next Wednesday. Defeat in any of those games could result in Sarri being fired.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger admitted the squad is low on confidence and described life under Sarri as a return to the classroom.

 

The 25-year-old German said: ‘Fatigue, no, because it’s not like we are doing box-to-box runs. It’s not physical. It’s the tactical things he likes to do. That’s his way, he’s carrying on. It’s new for the majority of the players but we have to adapt to it.

‘It’s the same if you sit in the school the whole time listening to someone. Of course, sometimes, it gets mental, but at the end of the day you have to do your job.’

Sarri remained bullish on Wednesday ahead of hosting Malmo on Thursday night, saying: ‘I have to think that I will be the manager of Chelsea for a long time, otherwise I cannot work. 

‘I am not sure (it will work), but I have to think this. I have to work, and I want to work with a long-term target.’