Report claims Abramovich intervened to stop Chelsea re-hiring old boss Date published: Friday 26th February 2021 10:10 - Robert McCarthy Chelsea contacted Maurizio Sarri for a potential return before Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, only for Roman Abramovich to shoot down the idea, a report claims. Sarri quit Stamford Bridge in 2019 after leading the Blues to Europa League glory. The Italian requested to leave the club for family reasons, as Chelsea allowed him to take the Juventus job. In a club statement at the time, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “[Sarri] believed it is important to be nearer his family. “And for the well-being of his elderly parents he felt he needed to live closer to them at this point.”