Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea future: What he's said, Abramovich relationship & replacement identified - Football.London
Maurizio Sarri has dominated the headlines in the media on Monday following Chelsea's shocking 6-0 defeat at Man City.
Falling behind to Raheem Sterling's fourth-minute opener, the Blues found themselves 4-0 down at the break with a double from Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan putting the hosts in cruise control.
Aguero completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after the break, with Sterling then grabbing his second of the game to seal the victory.
The Italian's future has come into question following the defeat and plenty has been said about his position in SW6 over the past 24 hours.
Speaking after the game about his position and whether he will hear from Roman Abramovich, he told Sky in Italy: "If the president calls, I'll be happy, seeing as I never hear from him.
"To be honest, I don't know what to expect."
Here's the latest on his role as Chelsea boss.
Sarri returns to training
The Chelsea team returned to Cobham on Monday following their humiliating defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
It was business as usual for Sarri as he was spotted on the training pitches at the club's base as he watched his team prepare for Thursday's Europa League tie against Malmo.
However, images obtained by the Daily Mail showed that he wasn't in his Chelsea kit as he watched the players.
Maurizio Sarri looks on during Chelsea's win over Newcastle (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The manager was spotted in deep conversation with Cesar Azpilicueta, while the likes of Gary Cahill, Davide Zappacosta and Ethan Ampadu took part in the session.
The three games that could seal Sarri's fate
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has claimed the next fortnight will be crucial for the manager.
The Blues have two games against Malmo in the Europa League and an FA Cup tie at home to Manchester United before coming up against Man City again in the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs then follow in the league at the end of the month in a game which will be crucial for both clubs.
"He's got four huge matches. If this wasn't Chelsea, I don't think we'd even been discussing it," he said. "I think we'd be saying anybody can come here and lose six, we'd be comfortable in the knowledge that a manager who has reached the cup final, who has a big game against Manchester United in the FA Cup and still in Europe, wouldn't be in doubt in terms of his job.
"But the noises haven't been good now for four to six weeks. The interviews have told a story and there's something going on behind the scenes. If it's coming out in public, you can imagine behind the scenes it's a lot worse.
"For a manager to speak in the way in which he has, it demonstrates that things behind the scenes are not good."
Sarri told the two players to bring in
Serie A expert Gabriele Marcotti has claimed that Sarri needs to bring Emerson Palmieri and Andreas Christensen into his team after their thrashing at Man City.
Marcos Alonso's place in the team has been questioned for some time, while the Dane has been unable to force his way in past David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger.
"I think (Marcos) Alonso is a problem - I'd like to see Emerson get a run in the team. Not that he's any great shakes," he told ESPN (via Daily Star).
"I think (Andreas) Christensen should be given far more of an opportunity. Those two are the key element.
"But most importantly you can't have stupid defensive mistakes which cost them that game (losing 6-0 to Manchester City).
"I think that's something they need to work on more on the training pitch and figure out how to get the message across to the players."
Replacement identified
Reports from Italy claim that Chelsea are considering putting Gianfranco Zola in temporary charge until the end of the season.
Gianfranco Zola alongside Maurizio Sarri (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
According to Sport Mediaset (via Football Italia), Sarri is 'in limbo' following the defeat at Man City and his assistant could take on the job if he departs.
The report states that Zola could be the man to steady the ship until the end of the season before the club appoint a manager on a permanent basis in the summer.
Zola has experience of managing in the Premier League previously following his spell as West Ham manager.
He also guided Watford to the Championship play-off final in 2013, while he resigned from his position as Birmingham boss in his latest managerial role.
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