Sarri, who is now the Juventus coach, was in charge at Stamford Bridge for just a single season, and led Chelsea to a Europa League title.
![Sarri. [Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC_Juventus FC via Getty Images]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/70fb8e_1381af92b50844afa31ea40b8f9e4593~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/70fb8e_1381af92b50844afa31ea40b8f9e4593~mv2.jpg)
Ex-Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has confessed he had a "conflicting relationship" with the players in his first six months at the west London club. Sarri had a brilliant start to his managerial career at Stamford Bridge in the 2018-19 season in which his side registered a 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. But it came with a little dispute with some of the Chelsea stars. One of the famous moments was when Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga decided he wouldn't be substituted in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, a circumstance that the Italian felt was humiliating. "The higher the level, the more difficult it is to build a relationship with the players," said Sarri. "It's not the players who change, but the surroundings. You need more time, but you still manage. "I had a conflicting relationship with the Chelsea locker room during the first five to six months, but then when I left after the Europa League final I cried and also a lot of the guys did." Juve boss Sarri indicated a number of his former Chelsea players have sought managerial advice from him. "I am not the type of guy who pats you on the shoulder, I am one of those that if you make a mistake he will tell you," he said. "If you do well the most you will get is a "bravo" as you walk past. For the players the impact is destabilising, but then I think they recognise the sincerity in the end. "The best relationships I have now are with those former players who did not play much. Those who are at the end of their career and want to start managing come to me for advice on football in general, on the experience they are having and some even ask to be in my staff to learn how to become a manager."
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