Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has launched a surprise and arguably unnecessary attack on Maurizio Sarri’s record prior to his move to Chelsea.
The Italian tactician was lauded for his work at the San Paolo, as his Napoli side played some of the most attractive football in Europe with his preference for an expansive, possession-based and high tempo game.
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While they pushed Juventus close in the Serie A title race last season, the fact remains that Sarri didn’t win any major honours at Napoli, and ultimately that is what the greatest sides will be remembered for.
De Laurentiis has decided that despite the fact that his former boss moved on weeks ago and he now has Carlo Ancelotti on the bench, that it would still be worthwhile having a dig at Sarri’s record while in charge at Napoli and emphasised the lack of tangible success.
“Last season we had the pleasure of playing very well, but then we still have the bitterness of not having won anything. We gave everything to Sarri, but we have not won anything in the last three years,” he is quoted as saying by Calciomercato.
Things have started well for the 59-year-old at Stamford Bridge, as he’s won his first two Premier League games in charge and following on from the defeat to Man City in their Community Shield clash, his influence on Chelsea’s style of play is becoming more prominent.
They’ll be expected to continue to improve with more time that Sarri has to work with them, but perhaps De Laurentiis has raised a fair criticism that will concern Chelsea fans who ultimately want to see the club win trophies.
It’s not something that they weren’t aware of previously, but with the Napoli president reiterating it again, it’s a reminder that the pressure is on Sarri to add substance along with the entertaining football.