The Return of Don Sarri
A cigarette emoji. That’s how Serie A side Lazio chose to announce the appointment of coach Maurizio Sarri earlier this summer, allowing the Biancocelesti faithful to breathe a sigh of relief following the departure of five-year incumbent Simone Inzaghi.
The arrival of Sarri will undoubtedly change the Lazio environment, both tactically and culturally, but the jury is out on whether the former banker can guide the Roman club to glory again.
When Sarri became a genuine possibility for Lazio, club president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Igli Tare did not want anyone else. The duo knew that an exciting appointment was needed following Inzaghi’s departure, considering that he was a fan favourite and had been with the Biancocelesti since signing as a player back in 1999. Sarri perfectly represented that.
Despite his relatively lacklustre spells with Chelsea and Juventus, many in the Italian peninsula still have incredibly fond memories of Sarri’s time in charge of Napoli. Not since the days of Diego Maradona had the men from Naples been so close to winning a league title, finishing just four points behind Juventus on the final day.
His time at Napoli was characterised by a scintillating 4-3-3 system, which saw the squad play attractive, attacking football - which soon became known as ‘Sarrismo’. Vicious counter attacks, smart off-the-ball movement and lightening fast vertical movements lead to legendary coach Arrigo Sacchi calling him “the most important thing seen in Italy in the last 20 years” in 2018, even if his detractors pointed to his lack of titles.
One thing that defines Sarri is the need to build a project. His style and requirements mean that certain players are needed to successfully transmit his ideas on the pitch. Italian midfielder Jorginho is a famously well-suited player to Sarrismo, and this was something he did not find in either London or Turin.
In his only season with Chelsea, the fans turned on him as results began to dip, pointing at disappointing performances and a sluggish style. Yet he still managed to secure a European title for the Blues, beating local rivals Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final. A defining moment in that English adventure was the joy in his eyes upon receiving that winners medal, his first ever professional trophy since entering coaching in 1990. A year with Juventus also secured his first ever league title, though signing for the Old Lady lost him any remaining goodwill from his old Napoli fans.
The famous chain smoker understands the beautiful game to its core, both tactically and culturally. Rather than focusing on results and wins, the 62-year-old Italian coach believes that football should look to entertain the fans first and foremost; a 5-4 victory is preferable to a painfully dull 1-0 success. This desire to entertain is not just lip service; Sarri chose to take a year away from football last year, not wanting to oversee matches without the presence of fans.
“The number one goal is to have fun. It starts with the coach, he starts to have fun. Then the player, the team… and then look.”
Sarri’s enthusiasm is now back. He highlighted recently that the presence of supporters at Lazio’s pre-season training camp in Auronzo di Cadore has charged him with great motivation, as he and his players were finally able to put on a show for the public again. His assistant coach Giovanni Martusciello confirmed this, saying upon the conclusion of the retreat “I haven’t seen Sarri this enthusiastic in a while.”
If there is one man currently working in football who represents the true concept of the beautiful game, it’s Sarri. He did not get his start in the sport due to his skills as a player, or through nepotism. The Italian coach worked hard, continuing his job in a bank in the mornings and training his players in the afternoons and evenings. This double life continued for the entirety of the 1990s, finally quitting his role at the bank upon his appointment to local side U.S.D. Tegoleto in 1999.
Sarri is proof that football has not yet lost its identity. Despite the excessive commercialisation, massive amounts of money on the line and elitism, the Italian coach is proof that a passionate love of the sport and consistent hard work can be enough to rise to the very top. From balancing football with his day job at the bank, to lifting the Italian league title with Juventus in the space of only 20 years… Sarri is an everyman.
His experiences in life have shaped his idea of what football should be. Training sessions are laborious, meticulous and focused, like his time at the bank. The rewards for this hard work are then seen on the weekends, when his players attempt to transmit the beauty in the beautiful game. Sarri wants to entertain the fans because he himself wants to be entertained. In a world dominated by money and results, Sarri’s desire for the finer aspects of football are what make him stand out from the rest.
So what can Lazio fans expect from Sarri and his squad next season?
For one, Sarri plans to continue his brand of fun and exciting football. He outlined this in his presentation press conference in Rome: “The number one goal is to have fun, it starts with the coach, he starts to have fun, then the player, the team, and then look.”
The signing of Albanian full back Elseid Hysaj and links with Fiorentina winger Jose Callejon highlight that the 62-year-old Italian coach is a fan of players who clearly mesh well in his system. President Lotito is aware that Sarri’s project will take time and so there will be no immense pressure to provide immediate success, although a top four finish and qualification for the Champions League is the goal for the coming season.
Players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile will be key for Sarri, being the main stars of the squad and well suited to his 4-3-3 system. It is exciting to imagine these players following the Italian coach’s attacking philosophy.
Young talents Raul Moro and Luka Romero could also make their names under the Lazio coach, both having impressed in the pre-season training camp - working hard to successfully meet the requirements of Sarrismo.
The appointment of Sarri was also the perfect answer to bitter rivals Roma’s decision to hire Jose Mourinho, who is best remembered in Italy for winning the Treble with Inter back in 2010. The two Derby della Capitale matches next season will be incredibly electric and unpredictable. Both sets of fans mark their calendars for these derbies and the style of these two coaches mean that sparks will surely fly. Catching at least one of these games next season is a must for any football fan.
Most of all, Sarri has given hope to the Lazio faithful. Belief. The banker-turned-football-manager is certain to provide an entertaining brand of football. Having last won the Scudetto at the turn of the millennium, some will even dream that he could be the man to guide them to their third ever league title.
Apollo Heyes is the Head Writer for The Laziali, the English home of S.S. Lazio.