Gianfranco Zola says Chelsea should have stuck with Maurizio Sarri but claims he’s not bitter over sacking

GIANFRANCO ZOLA has claimed Chelsea should have stuck with Maurizio Sarri for another season while opening up over his "painful" Blues exit.

The Italian coach was dumped by the Stamford Bridge club last week after Sarri took over the reins at Juventus.

Zola has told SunSport that his late axing has hindered his hunt for a managerial job of his own after former team-mate Lampard found no room for him in his new look backroom staff.

And the 53-year-old has now opened up further on his Blues departure, revealing that he believes Chelsea would have benefitted from keeping Sarri.

He told : “Obviously it’s painful because you’re in a place where you like to be and it means a lot to you.

“Of course, it’s always painful, but we have to be professional and I think Chelsea are looking forward, they made other choices and I respect them, I have no problem with that.”

Asked if he would have liked to have stayed at Chelsea, the Italian added: “Yes, very much.

“I think the best of Maurizio’s work comes not in the first year but more from the second year onwards.

I think the best of Maurizio’s work comes not in the first year but more from the second year onwards

Gianfranco Zola

“Looking at the way he works, it takes a little bit of time to put in place what he wants to do and also he is very demanding on the players.

“But, after the players get used to it, they get better and better and the work becomes more effective.

“It’s a pity, because I think it would have been good for the club if Maurizio stayed and it would have been good for Maurizio as well.”

Lampard may have found no room for Zola, but another of his former team-mates Ashley Cole is being lined up to join his new coaching staff.

The 41-year-old brought the former Blues, Arsenal and England legend over from the USA to Derby in January and the left-back excelled.

He helped the Rams reach the Championship play-off final in Lampard's rookie season in management.

And now, the former midfielder wants to add Cole, 38, to a backroom team that already includes his Derby No2 Jody Morris, named as assistant head coach.

Lampard has already brought in first-team coach Chris Jones and coach Joe Edwards, while ex-Chelsea star Eddie Newton remains at the club.