Maurizio Sarri is set to leave Chelsea to become the new manager of Italian champions Juventus, the Premier League club confirmed on Sunday.
Sarri, 60, arrived at Chelsea last summer on a three-year deal, and despite spending much of his first season under pressure from the fans and media, guided the club to third place in the Premier League as well as winning the Europa League - his first major trophy as a manager. The Italian also fell just short in the League Cup final, losing to Manchester City on penalties.
"The two clubs have reached an agreement for the early termination of Sarri's contract with Chelsea which had two years left to run and is ending at his request," Chelsea said in a statement.
Sarri moved to Stamford Bridge after leading Napoli to a runner-up finish in Serie A. He started encouragingly at Chelsea as the team embarked on a 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
However, a mid-season dip in form saw Chelsea eventually lose grip of their top-four destiny, before a strong end to the campaign ensured they finished behind only City and second-placed Liverpool.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "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.
"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."
Juventus also confirmed the move after Sarri signed a three-year contact with the club.
OFFICIAL | Maurizio Sarri is the new Juventus coach. #WelcomeSarri
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) June 16, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/ur5ixeCoQn pic.twitter.com/HO49X8HoUL
Sarri will also have the opportunity to work with one of the game's greatest ever players in Cristiano Ronaldo, while he will be joined in Turin by another Premier League arrival as midfielder Aaron Ramsey makes his move from Arsenal.
Chelsea are now back in the market for a new manager, with club legend Frank Lampard - currently in charge at Championship side Derby County - the favourite to fill the vacancy.
