Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Maurizio Sarri may only be six league games into his Chelsea tenure – and faces his biggest challenge yet when his side meet leaders Liverpool on Saturday – but he has already achieved a level of harmony at Stamford Bridge that was clearly lacking last season.
From putting treats on the menu to embracing players’ opinions and transforming their style of play, it has been a cultural revolution implemented in double-quick time.
So what exactly is different at Chelsea this season? And how has Sarri gone about making those changes?
Gregarious, tactile and left-leaning – Sarri the man and the manager
Sarri, along with former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona coaches Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique, were the men in contention to succeed Antonio Conte – but the Italian’s work and style at Napoli swiftly made him Chelsea’s prime target.
Chain-smoking, notoriously superstitious and a former banker who did not enter management until he was 40, Sarri’s feats in his home city, where he was treated with reverence, brought lavish praise from his peers.
Arrigo Sacchi, twice a European Cup winner at AC Milan, described him as “a genius”, while Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola declared “I am in love with Napoli” after watching his side.
The trio shared dinner in Italy in the summer as Sarri plotted his next move after taking Napoli to within four points of champions Juventus in Serie A.
Sarri’s coaching career has been a slow burner but his rise to prominence has been rapid. Just four years ago he was coaching unfashionable Empoli but performed with such distinction in Naples that he was Serie A coach of the year in 2017.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s eye was caught by Sarri’s methods and attractive playing style. He did not have a trophy to his name but this was not a concern for the Russian as he was convinced this was a coach who had proved his worth.
Sarri’s personality means he is less likely to become involved in the tensions that led to unrest last season, resulting in Conte’s departure.
Those close to him believe he is happiest putting his imprint on his squad, at ease working with players on the training ground and that will be his main focus.
He will have his transfer targets in mind – but will not be as rigid as Conte, who could become discontented when his number-one target was not acquired. Sarri is not regarded as over-demanding on transfer matters.
Chelsea have backed Sarri with the arrival of one of his key Napoli cohorts, Jorginho snatched away from Manchester City in a £50m deal, as well as by spending a world record £71m on Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to replace Thibaut Courtois.
Sarri, seen by those around the club as a gregarious, tactile and humorous man, has established a good early relationship with Abramovich and key director Marina Granovskaia, who is his day-to-day point of contact.
The club ensured Sarri acted quickly on his appointment to clear up controversy over criticism he received for sexist and homophobic remarks he made while in Italy – and since then he has made an instant impact at Chelsea and on the Premier League.
Sarri loves politics, with a personal leaning to the left, and likes to indulge his love of cinema, reading poetry and books – but they have been set to one side as he focuses his sights on moulding Chelsea in his style.
BBC