Maurizio Sarri departs Stamford Bridge

  Maurizio Sarri has finally departed Stamford Bridge after a toxic, yet successful year which ended with him silencing his critics in Baku

  Mesmerised, Maurizio Sarri stared fixatedly at his Europa League gold medal as he ended a turbulent yet successful season by leading Chelsea to Europa League glory.  

  That is the image that the football world will most associate with Sarri from his brief spell at Chelsea.

  The 4-1 thumping of Arsenal in Baku meant he had achieved everything he was asked for from owner Roman Abramovich upon joining the club in the summer of 2018. He had already secured Champions League football by finishing third in the league (earning €50m/£44m extra revenue in the process) and reached two major cup finals – also losing unluckily on penalties to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup showpiece.