Sarri resigns as Lazio coach, longtime assistant Martusciello promoted

ROME (AP) — Lazio formally introduced coach Maurizio Sarri’s resignation on Wednesday and stated his longtime assistant Giovanni Martusciello is taking up.

Italian media had reported on Tuesday that the 65-year-old Sarri had determined to step down after 5 losses in Lazio’s final six matches.

Sarri was in his third season accountable for Lazio and had a contract till the top of subsequent season.

“Lazio announces that Maurizio Sarri has resigned as coach,” the workforce stated. “The membership thanks the coach for the achievements reached and for the work finished, wishing him the most effective luck humanely and professionally.

“At the same time, the club announces that the coaching duties have been given to Giovanni Martusciello.”

Martusciello was Sarri’s assistant at Empoli, Juventus and Lazio. He was Empoli’s head coach in 2016-17, when the Tuscan membership was relegated on the ultimate day of the season.

Martusciello will make his debut at close by Frosinone on Saturday.

Sarri steered Lazio to second place within the Italian league final 12 months — albeit 16 factors behind runway Serie A champion Napoli — however the capital membership has dissatisfied this marketing campaign.

A 2-1 defeat to Udinese on Monday was Lazio’s twelfth within the league this season and left it 11 factors behind fourth-placed Bologna.

Lazio memorably beat Bayern Munich 1-0 within the first leg of the Champions League spherical of 16 final month however went on to lose 3-0 in Germany and was eradicated.

It additionally misplaced 3-0 to eventual winner Inter Milan within the semifinals of the Super Cup in January. Lazio is thru to the Italian Cup semifinals, the place it is going to face Sarri’s former membership Juventus subsequent month.

Sarri was fired by Juventus in 2020 regardless of main the Bianconeri to a ninth successive title in his one season in cost.

Sarri, a former banker, additionally coached Chelsea and Napoli.