Sarri: ‘I would not accept Saudi Pro League money, football is passion’ | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri reveals why he would not accept even €18m per season to work in the Saudi Pro League. ‘I am in football for passion, not money.’

The coach took a year out after resigning from Lazio in March 2024, having dealt with a series of family tragedies, and is now back at the Stadio Olimpico to resume his career.

It could’ve been a very different path, and there were certainly the opportunities to follow in the footsteps of Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal or Stefano Pioli with Al-Nassr, but that was never Sarri’s way.

Sarri not interested in Saudi cash

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 19: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of SS Lazio, reacts during the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Semifinal match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazioat Al-Awwal Stadium on January 19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

“I had negotiations with a Saudi club, where I would’ve earned in one month what I get at Lazio in a whole year,” Sarri told Alfredo Pedullà and Sportitalia.

“I always said that I would follow my heart, not money. I am not interested in how much they were offering. I have always been in football for passion, I would not want to start doing it for money now.”

There are reports that former Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has been offered €18m per season to take over from Pioli at Al-Nassr.

What would Sarri do if he received a proposal like that?

“Exactly what I did before, which is not go,” was his response.

“It’s just something that doesn’t provoke any emotional reaction in me, it doesn’t excite me. It would be difficult for me to work there in those conditions.”

epa11027575 Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri gestures during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and SS Lazio, in Madrid, Spain, 13 December 2023. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN

The cash seems to be convincing a lot of players too, poaching even those talents who are at the height of their powers to the Saudi Pro League.

“If the champions go there, then it means I’ll just have to train the weaker ones here,” joked the Lazio boss.

Sarri came to football management late, having spent much of his time working in finance, so he knows all too well the importance of following that passion.

The 66-year-old came to Serie A with Empoli, then had experiences at Napoli, Chelsea, Juventus and Lazio.