Chelsea vs Man City: Maurizio Sarri claims Pep Guardiola has been ‘lucky’ to receive time in England

The Italian has looked with envy at how his Spanish colleague was able to continue without a trophy in his first season in charge at the Etihad

Maurizio Sarri claims Pep Guardiola was “lucky” to be given time to adjust to English football as the Italian aims to survive a crisis at Chelsea.

The former Napoli boss is under pressure after the Blues slipped out of the top four in the Premier League and lost at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

And Sarri has looked at Guardiola’s situation with envy, after the Spaniard joined City in 2016 and finished his first season without a trophy.

“He (Guardiola) was lucky. I think that, if you choose Guardiola, you have to wait because the club knows very well that Guardiola needs time,” Sarri told reporters ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final between the two teams.

“It’s not really very easy for an English team to play that kind of football, so it’s normal.”

Chelsea had looked like title contenders when the Italian guided them to a 12-game unbeaten Premier League run but six defeats in their last 14 league games -- including a 6-0 reverse at champions City -- has seen the club drop out of the top four.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri claims Pep Guardiola has been lucky (Reuters)

Sarri said he did not know if his job at the club was under threat and stressed on getting a result in what is the first final of the season.

“In the end, the most important things are the results. In my job, I need the result, nothing else. I don’t know if I am under pressure from my club,” Sarri said.

“It’s important to win the final, otherwise you are second. I think it’s very important for us because we have to find the confidence.”

Additional reporting from Reuters