Juventus Consider Maurizio Sarri's Future in Wake of Champions League Exit
By Ali Rampling
Juventus are weighing up the future of Maurizio Sarri following his side's disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Lyon.
The Old Lady beat the French outfit - who had finished down in seventh during the 2019/20 Ligue 1 campaign - 2-1 on Friday evening, but exited football's most prestigious cup competition on away goals after losing 1-0 in France back in February.
Sarri guided Juventus to their ninth successive Scudetto - his first major league title in management - but this may not be enough to save him, with supporters, the local press and the Juventus top brass left unconvinced by Sarri-ball.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Sarri's job is 'definitely at risk'. The Juventus board will consider his position over the weekend, drawing on the whole season and not just the defeat to Lyon in isolation before they deliver their verdict.
Di Marzio says Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi is currently the only firm candidate lined up to replace Sarri, having been a target of Juventus' last summer - before they eventually plumped for then Chelsea boss Sarri.
Inzaghi has been in charge of Lazio since 2016. He led the club to a fourth place finish in 2019/20, emerging as surprise title contenders for much of the campaign before dropping off towards the end of the season.
The Daily Mail claim that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has also been linked with the job, while journalist Alfredo Pedulla reports that contact is in progress with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Sarri followed up Juventus' Champions League exit with a selection of strange comments, insisting he had expected his side to play worse than they actually did against Lyon and praising his team's display.
"I expected less. I thought we put in a great performance this evening," Sarri told Sky Sport Italia [via the Daily Mail].
"We went behind to a penalty after 10 minutes that could've sent us crazy. We completed the comeback, won the game, created six or seven scoring opportunities.
"The team has revitalised itself over the last few days, and if they weren't devastated in their confidence by the elimination, I'd be very satisfied with their performance."
"If I take away the huge disappointment at the elimination, then I am very happy with the team this evening, as they showed character and gave their all. If we hadn't been eliminated, I'd return home happy tonight."