"Maurizio Sarri left Wembley not only nursing the pain of a Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City but with every shred of his authority and a large slice of his credibility as Chelsea manager stripped away by a disgraceful act of insubordination from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga."
Phil McNulty
Journalists and pundits across the media seem to be pretty unanimous in their assessment of Kepa's behaviour, the response (or lack thereof) to his actions by his teammates, and what the incident signified about the continuing battle that is trying to control the dressing room at Stamford Bridge.
My question is: If Sarri walks - and I'm not arguing that he will this very instant, but could anyone blame him if he did? - are Chelsea going to struggle to find a top class replacement?
Are potential candidates to fill the post going to look at player behaviour and the demises of Chelsea's last few managers and consider whether the role is really worth taking on? Or would the lure of the stature of the club and, of course, a weighty pay packet be enough to offset any concerns about subordination and discipline?
It'll be a brave character that takes the reins IMO.
If Sarri walks...
posted on 25/2/19
I feel sorry for Sarri, whether you think he's doing a good job or not it was clear to anyone the guy would need time to implement his style of play. It was shocking seeing Kepa go against his own manager the way he did yesterday and showed a total lack of respect for him.
I think Chelsea won't have too much trouble getting in top managers because they are still one of the biggest names in world football, but you'd also think that all this mess will eventually have a greater impact on the club long term.
It's interesting that Chelsea still seem to be a club run by the players like it was back in 2012 when only 2 players (Cahill and Luiz) are still at the club from then. It's like the attitude has been handed down through the years.
posted on 25/2/19
Mumbai
I'm pretty sure Sarri just said that to try and defuse the situation.
posted on 25/2/19
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 49 seconds ago
Mumbai
I'm pretty sure Sarri just said that to try and defuse the situation.
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Yeah that was my thought as well. It's all a bit strange after the flying start they made under him, you would have thought that would have bought him some credit with the players.
I can understand to an extent with Jose, as we have seen at united, Jose is out on his own regarding degrading his players for the purposes of deflection. I found Sarri's criticisms very tame in comparison. It does seem to be the culture of the club, and in fairness success wise it has worked pretty well.
posted on 25/2/19
Kepa looked to me like he was suggesting he isn't injured and doesn't need to go off.
I think it was handled badly all round but was likely a lack of communication rather than the stand off its bring made out to be.
posted on 25/2/19
I think it was the honeymoon effect, new manager comes in and the players are excited about the change and want to impress. But then soon after they get back into their routine and habits and maybe realise that winning the league isn't actually possible so don't put in the effort the manager wants and that's where the disagreements begin.
I think for Sarri's methods to work it requires the players to be fully behind it and working extra hard to adapt to the new style. Maybe they're willing at the start but then can't be bothered. They also know that they have the power to get managers sacked if they're not happy either, it's all a pretty depressing mess that also exists within United too.
posted on 25/2/19
Busby
So you think Kepa was oblivious to the fact penalties were about to happen and his manager wanted to bring on a keeper who is known to be very good at saving penalties and played at City so has inside knowledge of how City players take their penalties having trained with them for years.
posted on 25/2/19
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 8 minutes ago
Kepa looked to me like he was suggesting he isn't injured and doesn't need to go off.
I think it was handled badly all round but was likely a lack of communication rather than the stand off its bring made out to be.
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Down twice with cramp, and your manager tells you to come off.
The sub keeper - who knows the City players inside out and has demonstrated that he's pretty handy in penalty shoot out situations - has had time to warm up and the fourth official puts his board up with your number on.
Despite clearly communicating your point, which has also clearly been acknowledged by your manager, that you're OK to continue, the manager and his training staff are waving you off and the referee pauses the game long enough to cross to the fourth official for a chat.
You leave the pitch, right?
posted on 25/2/19
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 15 minutes ago
I think it was the honeymoon effect, new manager comes in and the players are excited about the change and want to impress. But then soon after they get back into their routine and habits and maybe realise that winning the league isn't actually possible so don't put in the effort the manager wants and that's where the disagreements begin.
I think for Sarri's methods to work it requires the players to be fully behind it and working extra hard to adapt to the new style. Maybe they're willing at the start but then can't be bothered. They also know that they have the power to get managers sacked if they're not happy either, it's all a pretty depressing mess that also exists within United too.
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Interesting analysis that once the title seems unlikely their mentality changes, and perhaps the manager being sacked is more of an unintended consequence of this rather than a deliberate plot.
Still a crappy attitude either way
posted on 25/2/19
Putting what happened yesterday with Kepa down to a misunderstanding is a nonsense, especially when Rudiger had to stop Sarri from approaching Kepa and calm him down after extra-time.
Whether Kepa was injured or not, Sarri clearly wanted him off the pitch and Kepa disobeyed that order.
Sarri had to come out and try and play it down because I'd imagine he'd like to keep his job despite all that's happening and knows if he ripped Kepa to shreds in an interview he'd be signing his own death warrant.
What a mess that club is in. It's good fun to watch though.
posted on 25/2/19
I don't think a manager in his situation would be telling the truth, though there is a slim possibility that this was the case. I just don't buy it.
On Kepa, wasn't he linked to a move to Madrid for 22m this time last year? Or was that someone else?