Chelsea Open Talks With Former Manager In Bid To Replace Outgoing Sarri

Europa League champions Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with one of their former managers as they eye a possible replacement for the outgoing Maurizio Sarri.

According to Italian news outlet Tuttosport, Chelsea have initiated talks with Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez in their bid to appoint a replacement for current boss Sarri.

Italian tactician Sarri is expected to leave Chelsea for Italian champions Juventus in the coming days after just one season as the Blues manager.

Maurizio Sarri became the Chelsea manager last year after leaving Italian Serie A club Napoli whom he spent three years with.

The 60-year-old is expected to replace Maximiliano Allegri at Juventus after he resigned earlier this summer.

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His last game in charge was the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on the final weekend of the just concluded Italian Serie A campaign.

Several managers have been linked with the Chelsea job from former player Frank Lampard to Watford manager Javi Gracias to Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo and former PSG and Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc.

Rafael Benitez is the latest name to be linked with the job but the Newcastle United manager is not a stranger to the Chelsea managerial post after he managed the Blues for the second half of the 2012/13 season.

His Newcastle United contract expires this summer though the Magpies are keen to extend his stay at the club.