Is this the week which will finally see Maurizio Sarri join Chelsea? For the best part of a year, speculation has been rife about Antonio Conte’s ongoing stay at Chelsea. Conte remains the Chelsea manager. But according to the Telegraph’s Matt Law on Saturday, not for long. Maurizio Sarri is expected to be appointed the new Chelsea manager in the next week.
Sarri has already been replaced at Napoli. Carlo Ancelotti has already been appointed as t heir new boss. Sarri, who previously was a banker in London, is now set to return to the English capital with Chelsea. The Telegraphreport: “Chelsea expect to resolve the club’s managerial situation this week, with Maurizio Sarri preparing to finally succeed Antonio Conte. Negotiations between intermediaries aimed at releasing Sarri from his Napoli contract have progressed over the past fortnight, but Chelsea have been reluctant to jump too quickly into agreeing to pay off Conte.”
The Italian is not expected to walk straight into another job, so Conte could be due around £9million if he does not work for the 12 months that remain on his contract. Gianfranco Zola is also tipped to return to Chelsea to be a coach for Sarri. As for Conte, it’s worth remembering he won the Premier League and FA Cup in his two seasons at Chelsea.