LONDON (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri is already planning for next season after insisting he expects to remain in charge at Chelsea despite his troubled debut campaign.
Sarri was reportedly on the brink of being sacked after Chelsea suffered humiliating Premier League defeats at Bournemouth and Manchester City and then crashed out of the FA Cup against Manchester United.
The Blues also lost the League Cup final to Manchester City, with Sarri subjected to the embarrassment of Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be substituted at Wembley.
But that challenge to the Italian manager's authority has actually sparked an upturn in Chelsea's fortunes.
Vital wins over Tottenham and Fulham have kept Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish and given Sarri a little breathing space.
The former Napoli boss isn't out of the woods yet as a Europa League exit against Dynamo Kiev, who visit west London for the last-16 first leg on Thursday, would put him back in trouble.
However, Sarri isn't worried about the speculation over his future, preferring to look ahead to next term in the belief he will remain in charge at Stamford Bridge.
"It's not a big problem. The problem is the results. All the rest is not important at this moment," Sarri told reporters when asked about his job prospects on Wednesday (March 6).
"I want to win for the team, for the club, not for me. It's not important.
"I'm confident. I was confident in the past, and I am confident now of course.
"We were talking about the problem of the next pre-season. So we were trying to organise in the best way the next pre-season.
"But I want to think only to our performances and our results. Nothing else.
"It's not important if I'm here next season."
CALLS FOR MORE HELP IN EUROPE
In the midst of a hectic schedule that includes a home game against Wolves on Sunday, Sarri is considering taking a risk by resting some of his stars for the Kiev game.
And he echoed the concerns of Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino about English clubs being at a disadvantage in European competitions due to punishing schedules.
"I think the Premier League could do something more for the teams involved in European competitions," he said.
"If you play in the Europa League in Italy, after the match away you can ask to play on Monday.
"One day more to rest. I think that's really very important.
"For example, when we will play in the Premier League after 62 or 63 hours after the match against Dynamo Kiev. I think it's too early."
Winning the Europa League would guarantee Chelsea return to the Champions League next season, but Sarri is still hopeful of qualifying for the tournament with a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Blues sit sixth in the English top flight, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, with a game in hand.
"I think we can gain the spot in the Champions League in the Premier League," Sarri added.
"We are fighting. We are only two points away, at the moment, and have to play one match in hand.
"But the Europa League is a very important competition, the second in Europe, an important trophy with a spot for the Champions League. It's a very important target for us."
British crash investigators have launched an underwater operation to recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane.
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
The competition replaced the AFC Challenge Cup, last played for in 2014. Six teams were eligible to compete after losing in the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition, and three teams were eligible to compete after losing in the play-off round two of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition.
Did you know about these beautiful Eid traditions? | Qatar Living
Growing calls for Solskjaer to be boss. Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with assistant coaches Mike Phelan (left) and Michael Carrick, watching Anthony Martial in action
Growing calls for Solskjaer to be boss | Sportstons
sportstons.com/soccer/growing-calls-for-solskjaer-to-be-boss/
Growing calls for Solskjaer to be boss LONDON • Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has backed his former teammate and caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take over the hot seat on a full-time basis in the summer.
Solskjaer: Don't call me boss, call me Ole, Latest Football
Football: Son's South Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach Asian Cup quarters Son Heung-Min (left) and Ji Dong-Won of South Korea celebrate the 2-1 goal. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Son's Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach Asian quarters
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/22/sons-korea-survive-bahrain-scare-to-reach-asian-quarters/
Son's Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach Asian quarters AFP January 22, 2019 AFP No Comments Dubai (AFP) - Son Heung-min's South Korea needed an extra-time winner to beat world ranked 113th Bahrain 2-1 as they stumbled into the Asian Cup quarter-finals in unconvincing fashion on Tuesday.
Son's Korea survive Bahrain scare to reach Asian quarters
May 04, 2019 · With a rip-roaring English Premier League title race entering its final week, Liverpool returned to the top of the table with a thrilling victory over Newcastle which ensures the EPL title will be
Liverpool Back On Top With Newcastle Win But Lose Salah
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse. January 31, 2019 Staff Reporter Sports 0. Soccer Football - Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg - Manchester City vs Liverpool - Etihad Stadium
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse - b247sports.com
'Expired' Molde deal to ease way for Solskjaer Related Story Football: Solskjaer has restored United's culture and identity, says former treble teammate Schmeichel
Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired
Meanwhile, relatives of missing Premier League player Emiliano Sala on Saturday began a private search for his plane, which disappeared over the Channel, after local police called off their own rescue mission. The news was announced by an online fund-raising campaign for the operation and confirmed by a friend of the Argentine striker's family.
Emiliano Sala campaign raises £130,000 to fund private search
Football: Despite squad overhaul, Albirex Niigata's target for new season is still to 'win all the titles'
Latest ALBIREX NIIGATA | The Straits Times
Jose Mourinho showers praise on Jurgen Klopp, says liverpool coach's 'mentality' behind historic comeback Description: Jose Mourinho said that Liverpool which enjoyed a fantastic run could have ended the season with no title in their kitty but they are now one step away from becoming European champions.
Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
The Merlion Cup will return to the Singapore football calendar this June after a decade-long hiatus.. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that the invitational tournament will be staged for the eighth time in a new quadrangular format, which will feature the national Under-22 teams of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Merlion Cup returns as U22 tournament - AFF - The Official
Birmingham have been docked nine points after breaching financial rules, the EFL has announced. Birmingham hit with nine-point deduction a five-year football banning order after being
Birmingham City deducted nine points by EFL for financial
Ten-man PSG humiliated at Lille, made to wait for title Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 title celebrations were delayed again when they suffered an embarrassing 5-1 defeat by second-placed Lille after
Football: Ten-man PSG humiliated at Lille, made to wait for
0 comments:
Post a Comment