Official: Sarri leaves Chelsea for Juventus

Chelsea have confirmed that coach Maurizio Sarri will leave the club to join Juventus after just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri joined Chelsea from Napoli last summer, leading the club to Europa League success and a third place finish in the Premier League. The Italian coach also set a new record after going unbeaten in his first 12 Premier League games, the longest unbeaten start by any manager in the competition.

Following the departure of Massimiliano Allegri from Juventus last month, the Chelsea boss has been heavily linked with Napoli’s northern rivals, with Sarri himself having started his desire to return to Italy in a recent interview with GQ.

And now that mooted move has been confirmed by Chelsea in an official statement released on the club’s website on Sunday. 

Chelsea statement on Sarri exit

“In talks we had following the Europa League final, Maurizio made it clear how strongly he desired to return to his native country, explaining that his reasons for wanting to return to work in Italy were significant,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

“He also believed it important to be nearer his family, and for the well-being of his elderly parents he felt he needed to live closer to them at this point.

“Maurizio leaves Chelsea with thanks from us all for the work he and his assistants did during the season he spent as our head coach, and for winning the Europa League, guiding us to another cup final and a third-place finish in the Premier League.

“We would also like to congratulate him on securing the role as big as any in Serie A and to wish him the best of luck for the future.”

After becoming the fifth manager to win a European trophy with the the Blues, Sarri will take over at Juventus, where European success will be expected by the club's hierarchy after a disappointing Champions League campaign last season, which saw their shock elimination by Ajax in the quarter finals.