Former Chelsea and Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri was reportedly rushed to the hospital on Wednesday after falling ill during a Lazio training session in Rome.
The 66-year-old was said to be feeling unwell amid soaring temperatures in the Italian capital, where heat levels exceeded 30°C.
In response to growing concern among fans, Lazio issued a statement later in the day to clarify Sarri’s condition.
The club reassured supporters, stating:
“Coach Sarri is returning to Formello and, as scheduled, will lead the training session at 6:00 PM as usual.
This morning, he underwent a thorough fitness check, more comprehensive than the tests conducted on the players at the Training Center.”
Sarri became a cult figure during his lone season at Chelsea, where he guided the Blues to a third-place Premier League finish and clinched the Europa League title in 2019. His unconventional touchline habit of chewing cigarette butts—a workaround due to England’s no-smoking stadium policy—further endeared him to fans and made headlines.
After leaving Chelsea, Sarri managed Juventus for one season, winning the Serie A title, before taking a brief sabbatical and eventually returning to the dugout with Lazio.
As of now, Sarri appears to be recovering and has resumed his duties with Lazio, easing concerns over his health scare.
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