‘If the owner calls, I’ll be happy…I never hear from him’: Sarri aims dig at Abramovic

Maurizio Sarri hit out at Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich after his side were beaten 6-0 at Manchester City, claiming he ‘never hears from’ the club chief.

The under pressure manager hinted at a breakdown in communication between him and Chelsea’s top brass in the aftermath of a chastening 6-0 defeat that has left him fighting for his job.

Speaking after the game, Sarri accepted that his position was under threat after his side suffered their worst ever Premier League defeat. And now the Chelsea boss has risked the wrath of the club’s trigger-happy owner by claiming he’ll be ‘happy’ to hear from him for once.

Maurizio Sarri admitted his job is under pressure after an emphatic defeat by Chelsea

‘If the President calls, I’ll be happy, seeing as I never hear from him,’ he told Sky Italia. ‘To be honest, I don’t know what to expect.’ 

Sergio Aguero netted a record 11th Premier League hat-trick while Raheem Sterling scored twice and Ilkay Gundogan was also on target as the hosts moved back to the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are sixth and Sarri has received increasing criticism for his perceived inflexibility in tactics, with the Italian admitting talks with the club owners are likely. 

Asked whether the result will put pressure on his job, Sarri said: ‘I think that’s right. I am in charge of the team so it’s right. 

‘I don’t know, not at the moment, but I think that will happen because it’s normal.

‘Something we need to do, we have to do. I don’t know, you’ll have to ask the club. I have no idea about this at the moment.’

Sarri admitted he was not sure of the reason for such an alarming collapse from his players, with the London club 4-0 down by half time. 

Sarri said: ‘At the moment I’m not able to explain because during the week my feeling was really good during training. 

Having started the season well, Chelsea’s form and results have declined alarmingly

‘At the moment, I don’t know maybe the goal we conceded a goal after three minutes against this opponent and then it’s really difficult to play. 

‘I think today the big difference between the two teams was the intensity of pressing. They pressed really very, very well, high intensity, we were not able to do it.’ 

The Italian further identified a problem achieving results away from home after another capitulation away from Stamford Bridge.

He added: ‘I think at the moment we have a big problem away, I don’t know because the beginning of the season we played better away than at home. 

‘Now in the last month everything has changed. So we need to understand.’