No Chelsea contact over Maurizio Sarri, says Napoli chief
Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted Napoli have yet to be approached by Chelsea about Maurizio Sarri taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been chasing a new manager this summer, but are stalling on firing Antonio Conte and appointing a new head coach.
Sarri is tied to Napoli despite the fact the Italians have appointed a new manager in Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea cannot poach Sarri without paying a compensation fee.
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Conte will too take a hefty severance package if he is axed, and Chelsea are waiting to see if Sarri can release himself from Napolis grasp.
Reports have suggested Sarri was close to sealing his move to Chelsea, but chairman De Laurentiis revealed there has yet to be any contact between the two clubs.
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I never received any calls from Chelsea, even if they are announced via the newspapers, he said.
If that were to happen, I would sit politely and listen, reflect and then give the response that was best for Napoli, he is quoted as saying in Corriere dello Sport by Football Italia.
I want to make one thing clear: this is not a club to be pillaged, this is not a club to be underestimated. I am here to discuss and have already said that, if called, I would be reasonable.
Ive not spoken to Sarri since then and he never called either. After the final match of the season against Crotone, I waited, but neither he nor his manager Pellegrini made themselves heard.
I took that into consideration and thought about a phrase my father said: In life you should never let yourself be surprised.
I dont reproach Sarri, as if anything I shouldve set the rules and objectives at the start of the season. But being great gentlemen is a characteristic in the behaviour of the De Laurentiis family.
More: Chelsea transfer news
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