Maurizio Sarri has recently shared his thoughts on a few of his fellow Premier League managers, with quotes regarding the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Unai Emery.
Sarri has had a spectacular start to his reign as Chelsea head coach, having led the club to 12 unbeaten matches in what is the best ever start for a new manager in the Premier League. With the Blues sat comfortably in the Champions League places after 12 league fixtures, Sarri seems to have settled well in England and in a recent interview, the ex-Napoli schemer has given his impressions on a few of his fellow tacticians in the English top-flight.
First off, the 59-year-old Italian has praised former Chelsea and current Manchester United manager Mourinho, whom his assistant Ianni had angered by celebrating wildly in front of the United bench after a late Blues equaliser when the two sides met in a feisty encounter at Stamford Bridge last October. Sarri hailed Mourinho’s behaviour afterwards the incident and refused to blame the ex-Blues coach.
“Mourinho is a man of extraordinary human quality. He made a great impression on me when we met at Stamford Bridge and there was that incident involving my assistant,” said Sarri. “Professionally, there’s nothing more to add – he’s won everything, everywhere.”
Yet the 59-year-old reckons Liverpool’s Klopp is the one he shares the most in common with when it comes to footballing approach, citing their touchline conversation back when the two clubs met last September – with ten minutes to go and with Liverpool losing – as proof of it.
“[Jurgen] Klopp is the one who I feel is closest to me in terms of philosophy, and I think our exchange [on the touchline in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool in September] proves it,” the Chelsea head coach added.
“At a certain point, I turned to face him and I saw he was smiling so I went up to ask him why. He said: ‘Because I’m loving it, you?’ – ‘Me too,’ I replied. It’s when you experience situations like these that you realise you’ve reached the top.”
Last but not the least, Sarri also reserved accolades for Arsenal head coach Emery, especially praising the former Sevilla and PSG manager’s qualities on the offensive end. “He [Emery] is one who studies and he’s an excellent professional,” continued Sarri. “The attacking organisation of his football is of the highest level.”
