AS Roma are still keen on taking Chelsea coach Murizio Sarri back to Italy, despite installing Claudio Ranieri as coach a fortnight ago.
Sarri’s future at Chelsea remains in doubt after a disappointing debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, having joined from Napoli last summer.
Chelsea are struggling to finish in the top four after a string of bad results over the last four months, which includes losing to Bournemouth and Manchester City 4-0 and 6-0 respectively.
They have the second-worst away record in 2019 and it is believed several players will consider leaving should Sarri stay.
Roma are huge admirers of Sarri and are ready to make their move should Chelsea sack him. They put axed Fulham boss Ranieri in charge after firing Eusebio Di Francesco earlier this month, but only on a short term deal.
Roma president James Pallotta wants a big name to lead the side next term and Sarri is his first choice. The 60-year-old forged a fine reputation in Italy for the job he did at Napoli.
There were suggestions last month that Sarri had already met Pallotta and Roma advisor Franco Baldini to discuss the possibility of taking charge. Sarri denied it, saying: “I have a contract with Chelsea for the next two seasons, so it is impossible to have another contract. I read in an Italian newspaper something about a meeting with Baldini but I think for the moment Franco is in South Africa, so it is very difficult.”