Maurizio Sarri was so convinced of a move to Juventus in 2019 that he ignored Chelsea’s request to stay in London.
The Italian coach had just won the Europa League with the Premier League club and Juve wanted him on their bench.
After several conversations, they promised a total revamp of their playing team if Sarri agreed to become their next manager.
However, after one season, Sarri was sacked. Although he won the league, the club cannot say they backed him up with a full squad overhaul as promised.
Journalist Fabrizio Ferrari has now recalled how Chelsea failed to convince him to stay because he was already sold at Juve.
“When Sarri left for Juve, Chelsea made one last attempt to convince him to stay because they were in love with him,” Fabrizio Ferrari told Radiosei (via La Lazio Siamo Noi).
“He said no because he was convinced that Juve promised him renewal and rejuvenation, which they later failed to deliver by only taking De Ligt. Sarri took a month to make Jorginho what he is”.
Juve FC says
Sarri was arguably one of the most exciting Italian managers at the time, and it was hard for him to turn down the chance to coach the biggest club on home soil.
It was surprising that he only lasted one season on the Juve bench because of the effort they made to convince him to go to Turin.
