Pep Guardiola believes Maurizio Sarri needs Chelsea stability
Chelsea have identified potential replacements for Sarri - Sky sources
Friday 22 February 2019 19:34, UK
Pep Guardiola says he does not understand the sacking culture at Chelsea and has called for Maurizio Sarri to be given more time.
Sarri faces an uncertain future at Chelsea, with the club understood to be considering potential replacements for their head coach and fans growing frustrated with his tactical approach.
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Manchester City manager Guardiola, who was an admirer of Sarri's Napoli team, offered his support for the Italian earlier this month, saying his tactics had been misunderstood at Chelsea.
The Spaniard has leapt to his defence once more ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final, live on Sky Sports Football, citing his own first season in England.
He said: "The situation is a little bit different. In my first year, the club never doubted me. It was never in the media that I'd be sacked if they lose this game or the other game. It never happened.
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"Sometimes the situation is difficult and it needs time. The first season with Maurizio is the same. You need time but the people supported me here.
"The players knew who the manager was and everybody is in the right situation. After that you can win or lose but it is stable. That is the best way to build something for a long time, not just a short period."
Sarri replaced Antonio Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in two seasons at Stamford Bridge, in the summer to become Chelsea's 13th managerial appointment in the Roman Abramovich era.
Guardiola said: "I was surprised that when (Antonio) Conte won the title and they lost one or two games at the beginning of the (next) season, people started to say he was going to be sacked.
"I said, 'Wow, but two or three months ago they won the Premier League'.
"But my opinion of Sarri and his teams is always high. When we reviewed the game against us, maybe people don't believe me but they did incredible things."
