Chelsea face DELAY in new manager arrival: Theory about Maurizio Sarri hold-up revealed
CHELSEA are eyeing up Maurizio Sarri as their new manager - but they may be forced to wait to get their man.
Rhys TurrellSport Editor
Antonio Conte looks to be heading out of the club despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup during his two years at Stamford Bridge.
He's clashed with top brass all season over their transfer dealings and could only manage a fifth-place finish in the table this term.
But landing his replacement could take longer than expected.
Sarri is on Roman Abramovich's radar as he scours Europe for the club's next boss.
Luis Enrique is another contender for the job and is a free agent after leaving Barcelona for a year off 12 months ago.
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Sarri will also be free for Chelsea to appoint after leaving Napoli, with ex-Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti heading back to Serie A to replace him.
However Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri has revealed all is not as it seems.
He wrote on Twitter: "Chelsea might be holding on Sarri only cause at the moment there is an 8 millions of € (£7m) release clause to pay.
"Which anyway is expiring May 31.
"Ancelotti will be announced on June 1.
"Who knows…"
(Image: AFP)
(Image: TWITTER)
Palmeri added that Ancelotti won't be announced until June 1 as that's the day after his Bayern Munich contract expires.
Bayern dispensed with the Italian in September after being thrashed by Paris St-Germain in the Champions League.
Starsport understand Sarri will snub interest from Zenit St Petersburg in favour of joining Chelsea.