One saving grace for Sarri may be that Abramovich was not there to hear the dissent for himself.
Following his visa tribulations last summer, the Russian billionaire has not been seen at a Chelsea game this season.
Owner Roman Abramovich is not renowned for his patience and the humiliating losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City, followed by the reaction of the fans during Monday’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United, could result in Sarri’s departure.
Press Association Sport understands Chelsea are preparing with Sarri for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Malmo – they hold a 2-1 first-leg advantage – with Sunday’s Carabao Cup final clash versus City following.
Chelsea beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-0 in December and Sarri maintains, despite the 6-0 reverse at the Etihad Stadium on February 10, his side can earn the first trophy of his career.
Then follows a derby with arch-rivals Tottenham on February 27, where defeat would see Chelsea lose further ground in the bid for Champions League qualification through the Premier League. The Blues are sixth, behind Arsenal on goals scored.
Historically, as Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas will attest, it was when their top-four hopes were floundering that Chelsea made a change in the dugout.
Derby boss Lampard is Chelsea’s record goalscorer and a possible successor, but whether he would move at this stage of the season is uncertain, with the greater likelihood that Chelsea would appoint an interim boss as they have done previously with Guus Hiddink, in 2010 and 2016, and Benitez, in 2013.
The Blues privately insist Gianfranco Zola, Sarri’s assistant, will not be in caretaker charge for the rest of the season.
However, if Sarri goes, necessity may dictate the former Blues playmaker, who struggled in management with Watford, West Ham and Birmingham, is in charge for at least a short period while a longer-term solution is found.
Former CSKA Moscow, Hull and Russia boss Leonid Slutsky is a friend of Abramovich’s and could be an option.
When Hiddink took charge for his two caretaker spells, they followed short stints with Ray Wilkins and then Steve Holland in control.