London: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says he cannot understand why his position as Chelsea boss is under threat when he considers Pep Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City.
The 60-year-old Italian is clinging to his job, seven months since his appointment, after Chelsea’s humiliating 6-0 defeat at City, leaving them outside the Champions League qualification places.
Yet Sarri’s Chelsea have more wins at this stage of the season than City did in Guardiola’s first season at the Etihad Stadium in 2015/16.
“We are in the first final (League Cup) of the season. We are one point from the top four, the same points as Arsenal, and (people say) Arsenal are doing well. We are doing a little bit better because we are in a final, and yet our season is a disaster. I don’t understand,” said Sarri.
“I want you to remember that, last season, this team gained 70 points, not 100. Then, in the summer, we changed everything. So there is another problem to solve. So it is not easy,” he added.
Tottenham visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League Wednesday in a big week for Chelsea, with Sarri acknowledging the basic facts.
“In my job, I need the result. Nothing else,” insisted Sarri.
Guardiola’s style of play took time to implement and he had an expensively assembled squad to work with.
Sarri clearly feels he should be given the same time, although Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not renowned for his patience and the transfer ban imposed by FIFA could have a major impact.
Chelsea were unbeaten for the first 18 competitive games of Sarri’s spell as head coach until Spurs inflicted a first defeat.
AFP