Chelsea: Conte fans should embrace Maurizio Sarri wholeheartedly
By Vishnu Raj
Antonio Conte had many supporters during his time at Chelsea, but it is time for those fans to embrace Maurizio Sarri as he takes charge.
On the 14th of July, Chelsea officially announced Maurizio Sarri head coach after they parted ways with Antonio Conte. Chelsea’s affair with managers is well known around the football circle. Despite winning two titles in two years, Conte was shown the door after falling out with the board.
The majority of fans are not happy with how Chelsea dealt with the whole saga. Things should have been handled well. The whole thing left a sour taste for all parties.
Most of the fans fell in love with Conte from day one. They loved his passion and commitment. Even with the blips, that love remained.
Conte’s issues with the board started with the signings they made. When the team was dying for fit players, they gave him the injured or unfit. He banished Diego Costa from the team, which did not go over well within Stamford Bridge. Add some questionable tactics in few Premier League matches, ultimately costing the club their Champions League spot, and the tide turned against him.
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Even though parting way was written in the stars (particular with reports of players falling out with Conte) the biggest problem was with the board. The situation dragged on when it should have been closed as soon as the season ended. Conte even took charge of training sessions, confusing everyone as to what was happening. The board was in a tight situation with Conte, Sarri and Napoli all involved.
Many fans believed Conte deserved one more year with proper backing from the club. But there was also a clear division between fans: those who stood with Conte and those wanted a new manager (particularly when Sarri was rumored to be the front-runner).
There is no point in dwelling on the past. What happened is done. It is time to look forward no matter how it is felt. Unlike Jose Mourinho, Conte never spoke ill about any members of the squad. The fact that he won the FA cup in his last match as Chelsea’s head coach gives somewhat of a clue that he had most of the players on his side.
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Chelsea fans who stood for Conte should move on. Ultimately, it is the club that matters. Unlike many other fans, Chelsea fans always stick with their manager no matter what. It is time to support Sarri wholeheartedly.