Maurizio Sarri
is not affected by Jose Mourinho’s bulging trophy cabinet, the Lazio manager said on
Friday as the two former Chelsea bosses prepare to embark on a new rivalry in
the Italian Serie A from next season. Mourinho was announced as the new Roma
manager on May 4, while Sarri is replacing Simone Inzaghi at city rivals Lazio.
Both clubs are based out of the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

“I can’t
see this great dualism with Mourinho,” AFP quoted Sarri as saying at a presser.
“I met him and he is a good character. He has won much more than me, has a
higher pedigree than mine, even if it doesn’t count for anything. In the derby
we will do everything, and more, to get through the match.”

Mourinho
announced his arrival at Chelsea with claims of being a “Special One” after an unlikely
Champions League title triumph with FC Porto. “I’m not one out of the bottle, I
think I’m a special one,” the Portuguese said ahead of masterminding one of the
most dominant spells in his career and Chelsea’s history.

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He won
Chelsea their first domestic league title in 50 years as he toppled the Arsenal-Manchester United dominance in England’s top flight. Mourinho won a total of
eight titles with Chelsea, and 25 overall- including two Champions Leagues.

He signed
for Roma, marking his second spell in Italy after a successful three-year tenure
with Inter Milan, two weeks after being dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur.

Sarri’s
first trophy as a coach came with Chelsea – the 2019 Europa League – before he
returned to Italy and won the Serie A title with Juventus. He was then replaced
with club legend Andrea Pirlo.

The
62-year-old now believes he has found the right match at Lazio. “I chose Lazio
for two reasons — a personal one and a sporting one,” he said.

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“I saw in
this club the characteristics to express myself at best. In this team I see the
conditions to play the football I like. Lazio comes at a time when I needed
this type of club, with these characteristics, which could lead me to do this
job in the way that suits me best.”

“The club
wanted to me to sign a four-year contract. I wanted it shorter because I want
to be sure in two years that I have the same energy. We will play in a
different way, we will try to remain competitive.”