Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri says rival Jose Mourinho’s brilliant managerial past “counts for nothing” – Sports News, Firstpost

File image of Maurizio Sarri. PA

Milan: Jose Mourinho’s trophy cabinet may be swollen, but new Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri said on Friday it mattered for nothing as ex-Chelsea managers prepare to share Stadio Olimpico on the season next.

Mourinho will coach Roma while Sarri will take charge of city rivals Lazio, both hosted at the same stadium in the Italian capital.

“I don’t see this great dualism with Mourinho,” Sarri said at a press conference in the Italian capital.

“I met him and he’s a good character. He’s won a lot more than me, has a higher pedigree than mine, even if that doesn’t count for anything. In the derby we will do everything, and more, to get through the game. “

Mourinho, 58, dubbed himself “the special” to announce his arrival at Chelsea, which he led to a first English league title in 50 years in 2005, before winning two more league titles and eight Total trophies at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese, who has won 25 trophies as a manager during his career including the Champions League with Inter Milan and Porto, signed for Roma two weeks after being sacked by Tottenham.

Sarri won his first coaching trophy with Chelsea in the Europa League in 2019 before joining Juventus where he won Serie A in 2020 before being fired.

But the 62-year-old believes he has found the right fit in Lazio, a team that has won Serie A twice, most recently in 2000.

“I chose Lazio for two reasons – one personal and one athletic,” said the Italian coach famous for his fast-paced, possession-based ‘Sarriball’ attacking style of football at Napoli from 2015 to 2018.

“I saw in this club the characteristics to express myself the best. In this team, I see the conditions to play the football that I love.

“Lazio comes at a time when I needed this type of club, with these characteristics, which could lead me to do this job in the way that suits me best.”

He added: “The club wanted me to sign a four-year contract.

“I wanted it to be shorter because I want to be sure in two years that I have the same energy. We will play differently, we will try to stay competitive.”

Sarri succeeds Simone Inzaghi who joined Serie A champions Inter Milan after five years in Rome.

Inzaghi beat Sarri’s Juventus to win the Italian Supercup in 2019 and also contested the Serie A title in the 2019-20 season before finishing fourth after the coronavirus disturbance.

Lazio finished sixth last season.