Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri will hold talks with the club’s directors in the coming weeks, while five Serie A suitors lurk in the shadows.
The Background
The 67-year-old signed a three-year contract upon his return to the club last summer. However, it remains unclear whether the two parties will decide to stick together beyond the current campaign, especially after all the twists and turns that occurred over the past 10 months.
Sarri, who described this campaign as the most challenging of his career, has been involved in back-and-forth media spats with Lazio president Claudio Lotito, especially in January, when the patron decided to sell important players, and the head coach wasn’t happy with the profiles who replaced them.
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Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti remain afloat and can somehow finish the campaign with silverware if they manage to beat Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final on May 13.
Maurizio Sarri Will Discuss His Future with Lazio Hierarchy
According to Il Messaggero, Sarri is expected to meet with Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani following the cup final to begin laying the groundwork for next season. The Tuscan tactician is expected to present his transfer requests for the summer, and the management’s answer could ultimately decide his future.
If the two parties can find common ground, they will decide to prolong their collaboration beyond the current campaign. Otherwise, Sarri will seek an exit, although he won’t offer his resignation this time, at least not before he secures an agreement with a new club.
Napoli, Fiorentina & Bologna Interested in Sarri
As the Roman newspaper reveals, Sarri’s three main suitors are Napoli, Fiorentina, and Bologna. The Partenopei president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, had reportedly contacted the manager in recent days to enquire about a possible return to Naples.
Sarri is also a popular figure among the Viola crowd, but it remains to be seen if Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici will decide to rekindle their partnership, following their troublesome year at Juventus. As for Bologna, Vincenzo Italiano could depart after an underwhelming campaign compared to the previous.
AC Milan & Atalanta Could Join the Sarri Race
In addition to the three aforementioned clubs, the source mentions AC Milan and Atalanta, who remain in the background. The two Lombardian clubs could decide to part ways with Max Allegri and Raffaele Palladino amid their recent struggles, and Sarri could emerge as a candidate for both roles.
I don’t like Sarri’s football. I am not fan of Sarri. But when he accepts what squad he has and plays counter-attacking football it’s watchable. But he is stubborn. I know now that managment won’t bring him his dream players. And question is, if Lazio bring some new useable talent, if Sarri would once again tried to inject his possession football into them and we would sleep while watching 600 passes with 3 shots on goal or…? I don’t know. Win Coppa and leave as a champion. Modern football is better with younger flexible coaches. Sarri, Mourinho, Ancelotti are in the past.
Agree it’s at this point highly unlikely that leadership all of a sudden starts getting players that are to Sarri’s liking. While also he has shown to play whomever he believes to be the best, rather than playing those that need to succeed or be in the spotlight, in order to get sold. Lazio is in a terrible financial situation. While spending way too much on salary based upon worth and quality.
So also in terms of reducing the wage budget, I don’t think it’s a good signal or choice to continue with a coach, that earns a salary as if the squad contests for CL football. A younger trainer who will be tasked in utilising young players, who will be sold frequently. To become financially stable again until the new stadium is build. Seems to me to be the way to avoid further sanctions.
EL football through the coppa Italia obviously would be financially great and also a trophy. It would add pressure to get a squad capable of fighting on three fronts.