By G9ija
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insists he did not intentionally snub Pep Guardiola’s post-match handshake after Manchester City won 6-0 at the Etihad on Sunday.
When the full-time whistle was blown, the Italian walked straight past Guardiola’s outstretched hand and down the tunnel, with assistant Gianfranco Zola having to humor the Spaniard instead.
But rather than being furious with his counterpart, Sarri says he simply did not see the City manager as he made a beeline for the dressing room to digest a painful performance.
I didn’t see him at the time but I will go to say hello to him later, as usual,’ Sarri explained at his post-match press conference.
I wanted to go to the dressing room and in the moment I didn’t see him. I have no problem with him
Guardiola also insisted he had no issue with Sarri after his stormed down the tunnel, while he is sympathetic towards the job the Italian is trying to do in transforming Chelsea’s playing style.
I just spoke with Zola, Sarri didn’t see me,’ said Guardiola afterwards. ‘I have a great relationship with him, no problem.
On Sarri’s long-term project at Chelsea, he added: ‘I know what he wants to do, this football always helps to make us better. They want to try to do it, they beat us at Stamford Bridge.
The people don’t understand how difficult it is to do something. The people expect that it immediately comes, it needs time. It only is the belief of the owners. Today we were really good and why we won.