- The Blues are said to be making a u-turn on their interest in signing Maurizio Sarri
- Laurent Blanc is not the new man target as the coach to take over the Stamford Bridge job
- The London club are turning their back on the former Napoli boss over his character against Mancini in a cup game in Italy last term
Chelsea FC are reportedly planning to sign former Paris Saint Germain manager Laurent Blanc ahead of Maurizio Sarri as Antonio Conte’s replacement. The former Napoli boss was leading the race to land the Blues job as soon as the head coach job is vacant, but new development at the Stamford Bridge reveals the former Napoli boss may not be the favourites any longer owing to the his controversial past.
According to the Sun, the 59-year-old clashed against the new Italy manager Roberto Mancini while he was at Inter during a Coppa Italia tie last season.
And the former Manchester City boss furiously said afterwards: "The confrontation on the touchline? You have to ask Sarri about that. "He is a racist. People like him do not belong in football. He used racist words.
I stood up to ask about the five minutes being added on and Sarri used derogatory words on me. "I would be proud to be that if he is what’s considered a man."
Sarri denied he was homophobic. He said: "I was just irritable … I was not discriminating against anyone. If I did indeed use those words, then I apologise to the gay community."
After investigations were carried out, Mancini was then fined €20,000 and banned for two Coppa Italia matches by Serie A for 'directing extremely insulting epithets at the coach of the opposing team'.
However, Chelsea are known to have zero tolerance for racism, sexism and homophobia a major club commitment in recent seasons.
And that has seen their interest in the Italian born tactician has gone down and has given Blanc the chance to rise up the list. Antonio Conte’s departure this summer is not certain after winning a Premier League and FA Cup titles in his first two seasons.
Blanc has experience of English football during his two seasons at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2001 and 2003. And the 52-year-old would be immediately available as soon as Conte did leave. But the shock departure of Zinedine Zidane from Real Madrid could alter the dynamic and bring a fresh twist to the situation.
It is unclear what Zidane’s future intentions are but if he is available Chelsea would be expected to make at least an informal approach for his services.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly agreed deal with Italian professional football coach Maurizio Sarri for him to replace embattled gaffer Antonio Conte.
After spending three years at Italian club Napoli, the 59-year-old is currently a free agent and he is said to have had seven hours meeting with Blues' owner on Thursday, May 24. According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the Chelsea owner will meet with Conte on Friday, May 25 to end his time at Stamford Bridge.
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