The Italian media reports on Tuesday revealed that Maurizio Sarri, the coach of Lazio, has resigned following a string of poor performances that have left the Serie A team lagging in the European football race.
When contacted by AFP, Lazio declined to either confirm or deny the widespread reports of Sarri’s resignation.
Lazio’s 2-1 home defeat to Udinese on Monday night widened the gap to seven points behind Atalanta, currently occupying Italy’s Europa League position, and an additional four points behind Bologna, who hold the final Champions League spot.
Lazio finished second last season but are currently ninth after losing 12 of their 28 league fixtures.
Sarri’s team was also dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich after leading by a single goal following the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Lazio’s season is not completely over, as they are in the Italian Cup semi-finals, where they will take on Juventus over two legs.
Sarri joined Lazio in 2021 after a year’s sabbatical following his league title win at Juventus at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 65-year-old, who also won the 2019 Europa League with Chelsea, is most famous for the flamboyant Napoli team, which nearly won Serie A in 2018.
