Maurizio Sarri raised serious questions around his Lazio future in a press conference after defeat to Salernitana. ‘If I realised that I was the problem, I’d immediately step down.’
The coach already expressed his frustration in the post-match interview with DAZN, but stepped it up a level when taking questions from the wider media.
He was asked what President Claudio Lotito ought to do in this situation following a 2-1 loss to rock bottom Salernitana, a game they had been leading through Ciro Immobile’s penalty.
“If I was him, I would make a strong intervention. I am not a fan in general of training retreats, but something has to be done to break this inertia,” said Sarri.
“The squad has lost character and initiative. After scoring a goal in the first half, we came back out hoping to control it for 50 minutes. That is not what our characteristics are as a team.”
It is hardly the first time this season that Sarri has been openly irritated with his own players and their attitude, which can waver from game to game, or even during the same match.
“Something clearly is not working. If I was certain that I was the problem, then I would immediately step down. I don’t understand how I have been treating them differently to last season. If anything, I think I’m being harder on them.
“If over the next few days I evaluate and find that it is my fault, I will be the first to take the decision to walk away by speaking to the President.”
Lazio are doing far worse than last term, managing just five wins, two draws and six defeats in Serie A.
They are also stuttering in the Champions League, but still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds following two wins, a draw and 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord.
Sarri can only hope the Aquile get back on track in Tuesday’s match against Celtic.