LONDON: Maurizio Sarri insists he is not worried about being sacked as Chelsea manager despite his troubled side’s lacklustre FA Cup surrender against Manchester United.
Sarri faces a fight to save his job after FA Cup holders Chelsea crashed to a 2-0 fifth round defeat at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Ander Herrera headed United into the lead from Paul Pogba’s cross in the 31st minute.
France star Pogba doubled United’s advantage on the stroke of half-time when he met Marcus Rashford’s cross with a diving header.
Sarri endured chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as furious Chelsea fans showed their frustration at the club’s fifth defeat in their last 10 games.
Chelsea’s stars, publicly criticized by their manager on several occasions this term, hardly looked to be battling to keep the Italian as they failed to muster a shot on target after the 11th minute.
Sarri’s fragile relationship with his players, combined with the mutinous atmosphere among supporters, increased the feeling that the former Napoli boss might not survive until the end of his first season with Chelsea.
Demanding Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has acted quickly in the past when managers have been perceived to have lost the support of the squad.
But Sarri is adamant he isn’t concerned about his perilous position and he claimed he is solely focused on salvaging his club’s turbulent season.
Asked if he was worried Abramovich might be ready to wield the axe, Sarri said: “It’s not my problem.
“I was only worried about my position when I was in League 2 in Italy, not now.
“I am worried about the results, not about the fans. Of course I can understand the situation.
“I can understand our fans, because the result wasn’t really good. We are out of the FA Cup.”
Following widespread reports that Sarri’s players are underwhelmed by his stubborn refusal to change his tactics, the 60-year-old did make the alarming admission that he wasn’t certain he still had their backing.
“Of course I’m not sure, but I think so. I think the situation with the players is very good in terms of our relationship but that’s not so important,” he said.
“What’s important is to play and get good results.”
Chelsea supporters called for their club’s former legend Frank Lampard, now in charge at Derby, to be hired and directed foul-mouthed abuse at Sarri.
“Not really very well, but sometimes yes. For everything there is the first time,” he said when quizzed on if he heard the taunts from his own fans.
Sarri believes his situation will be improved significantly if Chelsea can string together a winning run, starting with Thursday’s Europa League last 32 second leg against Malmo and the League Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.
“It’s really very easy. If we are able to win three or four matches in a row, it will be easy. Of course it’s difficult to win five matches in a row,” he said with a curious smirk that suggested he didn’t really believe his own outward optimism.
“We need of course more aggression, more determination in the situation inside our box and inside the opposing box.
“My job is to work with my players to try and improve in a few days because we conceded the second goal without determination or aggression.
“The difference was there. We played 78 balls in the opposing box and United only 16 balls our box. We are supposed to win.”
Having previously questioned whether his players understood his football philosophy, Sarri repeated that complaint.
“Not completely at the moment because, especially in a situation like the second half, we have to move the ball faster mentally and materially,” he said.
“We need more movements without the ball and less individual actions.”
Maurizio Sarri does not fear the sack after Chelsea’s sorry show against Manchester United
Maurizio Sarri does not fear the sack after Chelsea’s sorry show against Manchester United
- Italian still focused on job at hand with Blues out the FA Cup and falling in the Premier League.
- Sarri has lost the fans in a short space of time at Stamford Bridge. (AFP)
Cycling legend Peter Sagan confirmed for L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France
- The event, presented by Skoda, returns to Dubai on Jan. 24-25
DUBAI: Legendary cyclist Peter Sagan has been confirmed for this year’s L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France presented Sy Škoda, which is set to see over 700 riders taking part on Jan. 24–25.
Part of the official L’Etape series (25 countries, more than 30 races), the event brings the Tour de France experience to amateur cyclists through closed-road routes designed to mimic international racing standards.
This year’s edition will see Sagan — former professional road cyclist, a seven-time Tour de France Green Jersey winner and three-time UCI Road World Championship winner — join hundreds of amateur cyclists on the Sunday.
As well as giving those taking part the chance to ride alongside one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, Sagan will join the finish-line celebrations in the Expo Village Park to present medals to riders as they finish.
Sagan said: “I have been watching closely as Dubai has emerged as a key destination for international sporting events, with cycling playing an increasingly prominent role. L’Etape Dubai builds on that by bringing the structure and standards of one of the world’s most renowned sporting experiences to riders in the city.”
In the build-up, L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France will host a series of community rides, leading up to a special ride on Jan. 18.
The main day of race weekend is Jan. 25, when two races will start simultaneously at 7am from Dubai Design District.
The Epic Race covers 112 kilometers, offering a demanding challenge for experienced cyclists, while the Classic Race spans 61 kilometers, catering to riders seeking a competitive yet achievable Tour de France–style experience. Both routes will finish in the Expo Village Park.
The addition of three designated sprint sections has also been confirmed, among them the Sagan Speed Challenge near Global Village, where the fastest woman and fastest man will each receive a special jersey presented by the man himself.
The weekend will also include family-focused events on Jan. 24, beginning with the Skoda Kids Race. Covering distances from 300 meters to 1.8 kilometers, it starts in two waves for different age groups from 9 a.m. There is also the Skoda Family Ride, a 20-kilometer route starting at 10am, designed to welcome riders of all ages in a relaxed and inclusive setting. Sagan will be present at the finishing line in Expo Village Park for both, offering families and young riders a chance to get up close to a true global sports legend.
Central to the weekend’s activities will be the L’Etape Village at Expo Village Park. Open throughout the event, it will bring the Tour de France atmosphere to life through immersive experiences such as the Tour de France Museum, memorabilia and feature walls, interactive exhibitor activations and family-friendly activities.
Lukas Honzak, managing director of Skoda Middle East said: “Cycling has been part of Skoda’s DNA for more than 130 years, and through L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France, we are proud to play a leading role in growing amateur cycling in the UAE, in line with the country’s vision for more active and healthy communities.”
Participant Andrea Pusateri said: “I lost my leg at the age of three, but sport has taught me that limits are only mental — not physical. Today I am the first Paralympics team captain in the history of the Giro d’Italia, and I use my story to promote inclusion and inspire people through cycling.
“Taking part in L’Etape is a dream for me. Riding in this iconic event, side by side with champions and thousands of passionate cyclists, represents exactly what I believe in — that sport belongs to everyone.”
The inaugural edition of L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France, held in 2025, set a new benchmark for amateur cycling events in the UAE, recording the highest participation for a first-edition race in the country. More than 1,000 cyclists took part, including 243 international riders and 266 Emiratis.
