Maurizio Sarri confesses he is ‘disappointed’ that Milan and Fiorentina did not approach him after he left Lazio. ‘These are two clubs that in my view were suited to me.’
The coach resigned from Lazio in mid-March, feeling that the squad was no longer following his instructions and he needed to shake them up before the end of the season.
He had been linked with numerous jobs including a return to Napoli or the Premier League, but above all wanted to remain in Serie A.
In a surprising interview with Sky Sport Italia today, the Tuscan coach admits he was expecting more interest from some very specific quarters.
“Clearly, we need to ask ourselves some questions. I will not deny that a couple of clubs disappointed me by not making contact, I think a couple of situations were possible… I won’t say they should’ve hired me, because those are choices the club has to make, but at least they could’ve spent 15 minutes listening to my ideas.
“This is something I cannot influence, or rather I perhaps could if I understood the reasons why.”
It was put to Sarri that the clubs he was let down by were perhaps Milan and Fiorentina?
“I won’t name names, but these are two clubs that in my view were suited to me.”
Fiorentina have officially signed Raffaele Palladino, while the Rossoneri have chosen former Lille coach Paulo Fonseca for the job.
Will Sarri get back to work next season?
“I hope as soon as possible. The first two months were dealing with family issues and for the rest I didn’t feel much nostalgia for football. However, the desire is growing again now and I think in a month or two I’ll be champing at the bit.
“It might be difficult at this stage of the season to find a solution that doesn’t mean going abroad, but I don’t particularly want to go abroad.”
There were some talks with Sevilla over the summer.
“We had a minimum negotiation, but they had different needs to mine, so it didn’t progress.”
Sarri views on Conte at Napoli
There was also the potential for a return to Napoli, but Antonio Conte has been appointed at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“Napoli are going into a process of transforming the way they play. Conte is quick at passing on his mentality and his style, so that is fortunate. I do not see Napoli finishing out of the top three.”
Does Sarri still miss the city of Naples after such an intensive experience there?
“A great deal.”
I share your disappointment. Was hoping the Rossoneri will come calling.