Italian insists year with Sarri at Chelsea was ‘beautiful’ – Working with coach ‘was a pleasure’

Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola has insisted his time working under Maurizio Sarri at the club was ‘beautiful’ despite the challenges they faced.

Sarri was appointed as Chelsea boss in July 2018 as a replacement for compatriot Antonio Conte, who had left the club after a two year spell which had seen them the Premier League in 2017 and the FA Cup the follow year.

He would only last one year at Stamford Bridge, though, managing just a year in charge before returning to Italy with Juventus.

His time at Chelsea is not remembered all that fondly, despite the fact he left with a 62% win percentage and a Europa League title under his belt.

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Blues favourite Zola was a part of his backroom team for that year, having been brought in as the manager’s assistant 15 years after his departure as a player.

Like Sarri, he would only stay for a year but insists that the 12 months he spent back were nothing but positive for him.

“The one with Sarri at Chelsea was a very challenging and difficult year but at the same time a beautiful one,” he told Radio Radio Lo Sport.

“Working with a very prepared coach like Sarri was a pleasure. We eventually won the Europa League and in the Premier League we finished third.

“I have very good memories. Our paths parted because the coach had the chance to come back to Juve in Italy, taking his historical group with him.”