MAURIZIO SARRI reportedly agreed to make an astonishing Chelsea return last month to replace Frank Lampard before Roman Abramovich stopped the move.
Thomas Tuchel joined the Blues on an 18-month deal in January after Lampard was ruthlessly sacked.
He has since transformed the fortunes of the stuttering West London club in an eight-match unbeaten run.
However, a sensational report in Italy has claimed director Marina Granovskaia ‘fought for’ Sarri to get the job again instead.
Italian journalist Ciro Venerato says the 62-year-old was close to becoming Blues manager for a second time but is now in the running to re-join Napoli in the summer instead.
He told RAI Sport via Area Napoli: “Chelsea, after having sacked Lampard, wanted Sarri. Marina Granovskaia, in particular, fought for his return.
“Sarri had said ‘yes’ to Chelsea but Roman Abramovich stopped everything. Sarri's wife and son are pushing for Maurizio's return to Naples.”
The shock claims come just 18 months after Sarri left Chelsea after just one season in charge, taking charge of Juventus before he was also sacked by them last summer.
Despite winning the Europa League and guiding them to third, fans vented their fury at the chain-smoking coach of his tactics and Sarri-Ball style of play.
He was in charge for a total of 63 games, winning 40 and drawing 11, during his brief stint at Stamford Bridge.
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Whether or not the possibility of a return to the capital was seriously on the cards will probably remain unknown.
But supporters would have launched a fierce backlash if they replaced the much-loved Lampard with someone who had frustrated them massively.
Despite protests over Lampard’s sacking, Tuchel is starting to win around the Shed End.
He has picked up 14 points out of 18 in the Premier League to reignite their top four aspirations as well reaching the last-eight of the FA Cup.
Tuchel’s Chelsea also sealed an excellent 1-0 away win against Atletico Madrid in their last-16 Champions League clash on Tuesday.
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