Napoli patron Aurelio De Laurentiis wants Maurizio Sarri to stay, but warns the Coach could “risk a huge disappointment at a richer club.”
The media blitz has seen him give interviews to several newspapers and television stations, so this afternoon he called in live to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
It seems as if the President is laying the groundwork for Sarri’s departure, with Chelsea and Arsenal interested in the Coach.
Napoli patron Aurelio De Laurentiis wants Maurizio Sarri to stay, but warns the Coach could “risk a huge disappointment at a richer club.”
The media blitz has seen him give interviews to several newspapers and television stations, so this afternoon he called in live to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
It seems as if the President is laying the groundwork for Sarri’s departure, with Chelsea and Arsenal interested in the Coach.
“I chose Maurizio three years ago and I remember some in the ultras put up posters complaining that I had chosen him. Sarri has done well, he studied football for many years in the lower leagues before coming to Empoli in Serie A.
“Then he came here. Obviously, in previous years he had never dealt with a large squad with many different nationalities. He’s not a man for the transfer market, he always said that, but if you don’t let these lads play, it’s dissipating their growth and the quality of the team.
“If I look at the minutes played by Marko Rog, Amadou Diawara, even Mario Rui, who without Faouzi Ghoulam’s injury would never have played. Mario Rui gave his soul and proved how much he loves the jersey.
“I am fond of Sarri and I don’t like divorces: but if he tells me again that he wants stars… my dear, we have stars, but cannot afford those who play for Manchester City or Real Madrid. Serie A has a third of the revenue of the Premier League.
“With Sarri there is a lot of work, he is a genius, but can still improve by 300 per cent. He is a man full of doubts, on how much he should earn and where he should work. He has doubts on whether his work at Napoli is done or not. I tell him to stay calm, because this is his home and he has no enemies here. We want him with us.
“However, if he no longer felt happy here, I wouldn’t oblige him to stay, even if I love him. If someone convinces him to go elsewhere, and pay the release clause, then I can’t say no.
“It happened with Gonzalo Higuain and since then I avoid clauses, or at least make them valid only for abroad.”
De Laurentiis said that Antonio Conte would be an ideal heir to Sarri at Napoli, while Carlo Ancelotti was also linked.
“Conte is a friend, I admire him a great deal. There are many fine Coaches in Europe and all over the world, it’d be a shame to lose what we have built up in terms of football beauty.
“The Great Beauty won the Oscar, Sarri hasn’t yet and he could still win it. Winning at Napoli feels so much more satisfying, as everyone is against you. It’s different when success is to be taken for granted.
“Ancelotti has been a friend for a very long time. He’s a wonderful person and made history in football. Someone like Ancelotti must never be doubted, but why are you trying to make me change Coach? Sarri must continue his growth process and I hope he ends it here, then he can go where he wants afterwards.
“Who knows, he could go to a richer club and after a year risk a huge disappointment.”
De Laurentiis also confirmed they are discussing a contract to build a training ground for the summer months in “Inner Mongolia.”