It certainly makes a change from managers staying in hotels
Maurizio Sarri could take over at Chelsea as soon as this week as the club’s long-winded attempts to find a replacement for current manager Antonio Conte look set to finally prove successful.
Sarri’s move from Napoli – where he was sacked last month but remains contracted due to a large release clause – had been held up over Chelsea’s reported refusal to meet the clause in its entirety.
That stumbling block now appears to be passed however, and the 59-year-old should take over from his compatriot this week.
Peculiarly, it has been reported that Sarri will live at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground upon completion of his move, as the former Empoli manager seeks to rebuild his squad ahead of the return of players on July 9.
He faces a difficult task at Chelsea, where a tighter transfer purse and reduced involvement from Roman Abramovich has led to reinforcements which have recently been made up of players considered to be either second or third choice targets of Conte.
Whether Sarri will be handed a larger budget remains to be seen, but speculation is already suggesting that Juventus defender Daniel Rugani, who worked under Sarri for two years at Empoli, will be his first signing at the club.
