De Laurentiis ‘called’ Sarri to discuss possible Napoli return | OneFootball

Aurelio De Laurentiis has contacted Maurizio Sarri to gauge a potential return to Napoli next season, La Lazio Siamo Noi reports.

Sarri rose with Empoli before a three-year spell at the Stadio Maradona, then called the San Paolo, from 2015 to 2018. His Napoli sides thrilled but won no silverware, pushing Juventus hard in his final year.

He left for Chelsea in 2018, then returned to Italy with Juventus a year later, a switch that saw some Neapolitans label him a traitor.

Now in his second stint at Lazio on a three-year deal signed last summer, the 67-year-old has called this his most challenging campaign. He has cited a summer transfer ban, January turmoil, an injury crisis, refereeing rows and ongoing fan protests against president Claudio Lotito. He has also vowed to finish the season before talks with the club about whether to continue.

He is not minded to resign without guarantees, though an offer from elsewhere could prompt him to rescind his contract. A return to Napoli could be considered if Antonio Conte departs, potentially to take the Italian national team. The rift with supporters is thought to have cooled, and many might back the idea after Lazio outplayed Napoli at the Maradona last month.

Source: The Laziali