Sarri prefers Juventus over Chelsea, wants Italy return for ‘family reasons’, too — report

Maurizio Sarri’s time at Chelsea looks to be coming to a swift end, though unlike the last time, the separation looks be much more amicable this time around.

As the Oracle of Sarri reported earlier today, the agent Fali Ramadani has requested the release of Sarri from Chelsea, which the club have agreed to, at least in principle. More recent reports in the last few hours have added a bit more detail to that, claiming that Sarri would prefer to move back home to Italy for “for family reasons, as well as the chance to coach Juve”, where he’s expected to sign a three-year contract that includes a pay rise as well.

Sarri has apparently already met with director Granovskaia, but the final decision rests with Abramovich. The Guardian reports that she will now relay the news, though Chelsea still very much expect Juventus to make a formal move as well. There are conflicting reports about how adamant Chelsea remain on making the Old Lady pay a nominal transfer or release or buyout fee, rumored to be in the £5-10m range.

All-in-all, it sounds like a true mutual agreement to go our separate ways.

Names mentioned as potential replacements include Allegri and Blanc, and of course Frank Lampard.