I left Chelsea after just one season – it was the biggest mistake of my career

Maurizio Sarri achieved notable success during his sole season as Chelsea’s head coach before opting to return to Italy and take charge of Juventus. Appointed in July 2018 as Antonio Conte’s successor, the Italian manager led Chelsea to an impressive campaign. Under his guidance, the team secured a top-four Premier League finish, triumphed in the Europa League, and reached the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Sarri’s tenure was marked by a strong 61.9% win rate, winning 39 of the 63 matches he oversaw.

Despite this success, Sarri made the decision to leave Stamford Bridge after just one season. Reflecting on his departure, the 65-year-old admitted that it was a mistake to leave Chelsea so soon. Reports suggest his return to Italy was influenced by his unease with the political tensions surrounding Roman Abramovich’s ownership of the club, which reportedly affected his willingness to extend his stay in London. Feeling a sense of urgency, Sarri “panicked” and accepted an offer to manage Juventus instead of renegotiating his future with Chelsea after what many considered an excellent debut season.