Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has joked that Maurizio Sarri may not see out the season at Chelsea, but has insisted that he wants the Italian to overcome his current difficulties.
Sarri is under real pressure just seven months into his Stamford Bridge tenure following some poor results and questions over his style of play.
The 60-year-old, who came close to winning the Serie A title during his three years in charge of Napoli, is said to have been given two games - Sunday's EFL Cup final against Manchester City and the midweek Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur - to save his job.
De Laurentiis has criticised Sarri in the past and he has now aimed another jibe at his side's former manager.
Speaking at Friday's draw for the last 16 of the Europa League, he told reporters: "It would be fun to play Chelsea in the final, assuming of course that Sarri can hang on that long!"
"I hope he does stay there and do very well, because Sarri loves his work to the point of madness. At times this can lead him to lose his temper, but that is to be respected.
"Sarri gave a great deal to Napoli. Some might not always be able to share his vision of football but we all have our strengths and weaknesses, otherwise we would not be human."
Zinedine Zidane and Laurent Blanc are reportedly in the frame to replace Sarri at Chelsea should he be sacked.
Daniel Lewis
