Maurizio Sarri, the man who guided Chelsea to a Europa League triumph, a top-four Premier League finish, and a Carabao Cup final, has admitted that leaving Stamford Bridge after just one season was a decision he deeply regrets.

Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Sarri has now expressed a desire to “put things right,” acknowledging that his departure was driven by uncertainty and fear rather than logic.

Speaking candidly about his exit, Sarri revealed the challenges he faced at the time. “I could have stayed at Chelsea,” he began. “I wanted to come back to Italy because the situation at Chelsea was not easy. In that period Abramovich was not allowed to go to England. I only saw him at games abroad. We had some telephone calls but not very often.”

With Roman Abramovich unable to oversee the club closely and technical director Michael Emenalo having left the year prior, Sarri admitted that the lack of structure made him uneasy. “My point of reference was only Marina. There wasn’t a sporting director, so the situation was not so clear. So I wanted to come back to Italy, but it was a mistake.”

In hindsight, Sarri recognizes that staying at Chelsea would have been the better decision. “It would have been better to stay there. I was a little worried about the situation with Chelsea, the situation inside the club. It was not clear.

“I asked Marina if it was possible to go back to Italy and Marina asked for some money from Juventus to set me free. They said if I wanted to stay at Chelsea it was possible.”

Despite his doubts at the time, Sarri acknowledges the success he achieved in his single season with Chelsea. “But at the end of the season with Chelsea it was a good experience and good results. We got third place in the Premier League table, reached the final of the Carabao Cup and won the Europa League. We played a lot of good matches.

“Of course at times there were two or three disasters, like at Manchester against City, like at Bournemouth.”

Now, Sarri is ready for a new challenge, stating, “I am ready to start again. I don’t know where at the moment. But me and the staff are ready.”

As Chelsea fans, it’s bittersweet to hear Sarri’s regret. His departure marked the end of a season filled with highs and lows, but the Europa League victory in Baku remains a cherished memory. Could there ever be a Stamford Bridge reunion for the Italian tactician? Only time will tell.