Sarri: ‘Lazio did not listen to me, team with the best moral values’

Maurizio Sarri warns he ‘did not feel listened to’ by Lazio and hints he’ll ask to terminate his contract, but thanks his players. ‘Probably the side with the greatest moral values I ever coached.’

The Aquile did not have the most auspicious start this evening, as they went behind to a Stefano Moreo free header from rock bottom Pisa.

However, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Pedro completed the comeback, the Spaniard receiving a standing ovation later as he left the field for the final time in the Lazio jersey.

Although he turns 39 in July, Pedro does not seem ready to hang up his boots yet, so is going to continue his playing career elsewhere.

“I thanked the players for a devastating campaign, because although we got a few games wrong, we never gave up,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

“I told them they might not be the most technically gifted, but they are probably the side with the greatest moral values I have ever coached. The season could’ve been much, much worse.”

It is also reported that this will be the final match for the coach, who is expected to take over the Atalanta job next term.

“I have no idea, because I am still under contract, so we’ll evaluate everything over the next few days and weeks,” noted Sarri.

“I am not particularly happy, because this season I felt that I was not listened to. There is a contract, so we’ll see.”

Sarri has not disguised his frustration with the Lazio hierarchy this season, with everything from the transfer embargo to disagreeing with player sales and the on-going fan boycott of home games.

“This is a long story to get into, and I think I ought to first of all discuss it with the club, face to face,” added the coach.

“A year like this is formative. Having said that, it would’ve been better for a coach in his 40s rather than me, but it does teach you many things.”

Considering the reports of Napoli interest, does this make Sarri feel like he might want to return to somewhere he worked in his past?

“I don’t know. I have a contract here, so it becomes difficult for me to answer this type of question. If I won’t have a contract in a few days, and then we can talk.”

Lazio finish the campaign in ninth place, failing to qualify for Europe for the second year in a row, but did reach the Coppa Italia Final, losing 2-0 to Inter.

“This was the most difficult season for me in Serie A, certainly, difficult for so many reasons. At the end of the day, getting a dignified result out of it was good, we had 29 points in the second half of the season, so considering everything that happened, it’s good.”