Former Chelsea manager in shock exit after four-game losing streak and Champions League exit

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has sensationally quit Lazio following their four-game losing streak.

A dismal 2-1 home defeat to Udinese proved the final straw, with boos echoing around the Stadio Olimpico at the full-time whistle. Less than a year after finishing second in Serie A, Lazio sit ninth - 11 points outside of the top four.

Le Aquile were dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last week despite boasting a one-goal lead going into the second leg. That 3-0 defeat was sandwiched in between a fortnight of hell that also saw Lazio lose to AC Milan, Fiorentina and the Udinese defeat.

Reports in Italy suggest Sarri summoned a team meeting following the weekend’s loss and was not given the answers he wanted - prompting him to hand in his resignation. Lazio are now searching for just their third manager since 2016, with Sarri taking over from the well-established Simeone Inzaghi three years ago.

The fiery Italian spent just one year at Chelsea, finishing third and beating Arsenal in the Europa League final. Blues supporters grew tired of “Sarriball” - a possession-heavy style - but perhaps did not realise how good they had it given their current plight.

Despite achieving relative success, Sarri was shown the door by Roman Abramovich, with the more youthful Frank Lampard taking charge. The 65-year-old previously revealed that he regretted leaving Stamford Bridge after just one year at the helm.

“I had more fun at Napoli (than Juventus) and (also) the last few months at Chelsea,” he said before joining Lazio. “At Chelsea, I made a sensational mistake, that of wanting to return to Italy at all costs.

“Marina (Granovskaia) stonewalled me to leave Chelsea. I had this desire to return to Italy. Chelsea are a great club and, in the following years, they signed many young people suitable for me. I lived in a particular year, a rather difficult situation.

“Everything (was) in the hands of Marina and she had a thousand problems to solve, the football aspect was in the hands of the staff, not having the economic power available. Then came Werner, Havertz, Mount, Ziyech: all suitable for me and my way to play.”