Chelsea's new manager Maurizio Sarri gave an epic first conference on Wednesday.
Chelsea’s new boss Maurizio Sarri in his first conference on Wednesday tried to clear his ruined image by suggesting, “people who know me very well cannot define me as homophobic, sexist or racist."
While at Napoli, he was heavily criticised for calling former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini a "poof" and a "faggot". He was also forced to apologise in March for making a sexist remark to a female journalist.
“"You're a woman, you're beautiful - for those two reasons I won't tell you to go f*** yourself,” Sarri, who was slammed with the tag of sexist, told this to the female journalist.
The outspoken manager now is aiming to clear his image in the Premier League. “It was misconstrued. Those who know me very well cannot define me as homophobic, sexist or racist. I am an extremely open person, I do not have these problems. I hope I will be able to show this when I am here,” he added.
The Italian also suggested that those were mistakes made by him and when a person makes a mistake, he must also apologise and accept allegations can be made.
“But a professional and ethical attitude is very important. I hope you will get the chance to get to know me while I am here,” he added.
Earlier, Chelsea revealed that their former striker Gianfranco Zola had returned to the club as assistant to Sarri.
Zola spent seven years at Stamford Bridge as a player, scoring 80 goals and helping the club win two FA Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and one League Cup.
"For me it is an amazing thing," Zola said in a club statement, which described the former Italy international as one of Chelsea's "all-time greatest players".
"I am very willing to work hard because it is going to be a difficult challenge but I am pleased to be here, and to work hard with Maurizio to be successful."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Maurizio Sarri")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}