'What a loser does' - Maurizio Sarri slammed over ‘too easy’ Lazio resignation as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis gives damning assessment

The former Chelsea manager informed the Italian club on Tuesday that he would not be continuing as head coach. The decision came after Lazio suffered four consecutive defeats, including their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash. The Italian side squandered a 1-0 lead from the first leg as they crashed out of Europe.

Napoli president De Laurentiis slammed the veteran Italian coach for abandoning the club during a crisis and even called him a "loser".

Speaking to Sport Mediaset, the Napoli chief said: "That really shocked me. After the first experiences where you qualify as a professional, you must take on your share of the responsibility. If you accept a role, you must carry it on to the end, out of respect for the club, the players and the fans.

"It’s too easy to hand in your resignation, that is what a loser does. I do not know the motivation behind it, but (Lazio President Claudio) Lotito does not seem aggressive. He is a man with qualities and there should’ve been a solution found for a team that can’t just be dumped near the end of the season."

The 65-year-old, who also managed Napoli between 2015 to 2018, joined Lazio in 2021. In Sarri's two full seasons he managed the club, the Biancocelesti finished fifth and second, respectively. Former Germany international Miroslav Klose is being linked with a move to replace Sarri at the Serie A side.

Lazio, who are currently ninth in the league, will be next seen in action on Saturday as they take on Frosinone in Serie A.