Maurizio Sarri dismissed the supporters’ frustrations following a defeat to Manchester United which leaves him clinging to his job as Chelsea head coach.
Goals from Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba earned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a sixth successive away win and a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, against Wolves.
Sarri was subjected to jeers, boos and chants to be left in no doubt the strength of the Chelsea fans’ feelings towards him, just seven months since his appointment.
Chelsea fans joined in as United supporters sang “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, sarcastically applauded predictable substitutions and shouted “f*** Sarri-ball” in opposition to the possession-based tactics the 60-year-old boss favours.
Asked if he had heard that chanted at him before, Sarri said: “No. For everything, there is a first time.”
The Italian added: “I am worried about the results. Not about the fans.
“I can understand the situation and our fans, because the result wasn’t really good. We are out of the FA Cup, so I can understand. But I am worried about our results.”
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Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea have no time to dwell on their FA Cup exit (Adam Davy/PA)
Chelsea have little time to dwell on the defeat, with Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second leg with Malmo followed by Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Manchester City and next Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.
Whether Sarri sees out the run of fixtures remains to be seen.
City inflicted a 6-0 loss on Chelsea in their most recent Premier League game, the Blues’ worst defeat in 28 years, and further defeats may see Sarri’s reign end. The Italian clung to the positives.
“If we are able to win three or four matches in a row, it will be really very easy (to change the negative mood),” Sarri added.
“I was really very worried when I was in League Two in Italy. Not now.”
A change of boss has had the desired effect for United, who enjoyed an 11-game unbeaten start under Solskjaer before defeat to Paris St Germain.
A seventh win from seven away games since the Norwegian’s appointment on December 19, in place of Jose Mourinho, was the ideal response.
Solskjaer said: “You want to see a reaction. There’s a balance between being too eager after losing a game, so this was brilliant.
“We’ve got to build on the positives. We play Liverpool next week, but Chelsea, Arsenal and us will fight for that fourth position (in the Premier League). This was about getting through to the next round.”
Here's how the quarter finals are shaping up 👇— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 18, 2019
The 12-time winners next face Premier League Wolves in the last eight, with neighbours Manchester City going to Championship Swansea.
Watford host Crystal Palace and Millwall host Brighton.
The ties will be played over the weekend of March 16 and 17.
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