Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri insists that he managed to build good relationships with the players at Stamford Bridge in his sole season in charge.
The Italian, who left for Juventus in summer 2019, admits he had difficulties in dealing with some players at the start of his tenure but succeeded in overcoming them.
“The higher you go, the more difficult it is to relate to players but only up to a certain point,” Sarri told Juventus’ official YouTube channel via Tuttosport.
“The technical qualities change, but not the human ones of those who are 20-30 years old when they’re all at the same level. I had a conflictual relationship in the Chelsea locker room for 4-5 months, but when I told them that I would leave after the Europa League final, I cried, and many of them did the same.
“In the end, a strong relationship had been created. I am someone who, if you do badly, will say it to your face, but will also say ‘bravo’ if you do well. Maybe I talk more about what they do wrong than what they do well, and maybe they pay for this in the beginning. Then they understand you and appreciate it.”
Some former Chelsea players, like Gary Cahill and Rob Green, are likely to disagree with Sarri as they have publicly criticised his management style since he left the club.
Despite that, his time at the club could be considered as quite successful: in addition to a 3rd-place finish in the Premier League, the Blues reached the Carabao Cup final and defeated Arsenal in the Europa League final.