Chelsea chief Buck in talks with Juventus chairman in Baku as stars of the Serie A club ‘told Sarri will be boss next season’
CHELSEA chief Bruce Buck held talks with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli in Baku – as stars of the Serie A club have been told Maurizio Sarri will be their manager next season.
The pair were seen in discussions at the Four Seasons hotel – where both are staying – ahead of the Europa League final.
#Agnelli a #Baku da #Sarri! FOTO ESCLUSIVE
https://t.co/gkR2O5mbEu
— Tuttosport (@tuttosport) May 29, 2019
The sensational pictures come as the Blues coach looks set to leave and join the Serie A giants in a £5million compensation deal.
Sarri, 60, will hold his own showdown talks with the Chelsea board over his future immediately after tonight’s clash with rivals Arsenal.
The Italian coach is expected to leave the Blues whether he beats the Gunners or not, following a tough season.
Despite qualifying for the Champions League, Sarri has shown signs of pressure in recent weeks.
Sarri even stormed out of a televised training session last night and looked furious after a bust-up between David Luiz and Gonzalo Higuain.
He was also dismissive of Chelsea’s post-season goodwill friendly in the US, which was to raise money for charity.
BAKU BLISS Inside Chelsea’s lavish Baku hotel with sun-lit penthouse spa and views of medieval city
That upset the board, along with numerous other issues behind the scenes relating to his attitude.
And Sarri will now sit down with Stamford Bridge chiefs later this week – as rumours of a move to Juventus heat up.
Reports in Italy have now gone as far as to say Juve players have already been told Sarri will be their boss, such is the advanced stage of talks.
Owner Roman Abramovich will be at the game tonight, his first time watching Chelsea in action for more than a year.
It is understood Chelsea are willing to let Sarri go, as long as a compensation package is agreed and paid – the Blues see club legend Frank Lampard as the man to replace the Italian.
Derby County are desperate to keep Lampard, who led the Rams to the play-off final in his first season in charge.
Juventus president Agnelli is in Baku, Azerbaijan, to watch the Europa League final for business.
He is expected at a Uefa Executive Committee meeting, with representatives from Europe’s top clubs in attendance.
But the images of the talks with Buck – which were revealed by Italian newspaper Tuttosport – are sure to raise suspicion.
The Old Lady are looking for a new boss after Max Allegri quit at the end of last season following Juventus’ eighth successive Serie A title win.
The Italian giants had eyed bringing in Pep Guardiola, but Manchester City were quick to dismiss talks.
They also have Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi and Bologna’s Sinisa Mihajlovic on their shortlist.
Spurs chief Mauricio Pochettino and even Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp were talked about internally.
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A source said: “Juventus want Maurizio and he is favourite for the job. There were and are a few names on the list.
“Pep and a few others are on there as well. Sarri seems to be the chosen one of them all though.
“There have been talks between Chelsea and Juventus in Baku already though and Sarri will also be part of them.
“Sarri wants to feel appreciated in London and not judged on the final alone but he doesn’t and could go in any case.”
