Despite the early troubles, Maurizio Sarri’s job has never been in jeopardy, and the Lazio management always shielded him. The two parties have been very comfortable with each other behind the scenes, to the point that they have begun discussing an extension, Alfredo Pedullà reports.
President Claudio Lotito intends to start a new long-term cycle with the veteran gaffer at the helm. The bigwigs and Sarri will take advantage of the next break to meet and negotiate the new agreement, the transfer market expert indicates.
Sarri originally signed a one-year contract with an optional second season. Lazio plan to pick it up and add one or two more campaigns to the pact. The manager highly appreciated the behavior of the decision-makers since joining, especially amid the struggles. After the loss to Verona, Lotito sent a message to the team, saying that everybody was under scrutiny, but the coach.
Lazio will face Olympique Marseille in Europa League later today. In the pre-game presser, the gaffer confirmed the rumors about the extension: “We have to think about other stuff now, and we will examine it next week. I am great here, I like the people in the front office, and I have a good relationship with the owner. But we have to sit down and talk it through.”
As always, Sarri did not mince words on the nationwide ban against Lazio fans: “If I were Lotito, I would invite their minister to see our matches. He would notice that it was a screw-up.”