Lazio president Claudio Lotito has indicated a potential overhaul of the squad and cast doubt on the future of manager Maurizio Sarri following a disappointing season. Speaking to SportMediaset after the Italian Open tennis final, Lotito stated that while Sarri currently has two years remaining on his contract, “everyone is useful, but no one is indispensable,” suggesting the club is open to changes.
This comes after Lazio’s defeat in the Coppa Italia final against Inter and a loss in the Rome derby, compounding a season where the club will miss out on European qualification for the second consecutive year. Sarri himself expressed uncertainty about his future after the derby, stating he had received no communication regarding plans for next season and felt his input had been ignored throughout the year.
Lotito emphasized a desire to “rejuvenate” the team and focus on “asset building,” highlighting the club’s ambition to become financially self-sufficient through the construction of a new stadium – a project focused on the Flaminio stadium. He pointed to the club’s six trophies won during his presidency as evidence of past success, but acknowledged the current situation is concerning.
Lotito also attributed the team’s struggles to an unusually high number of injuries and unfavorable incidents that impacted results, describing the season as “absurd” and unlike anything he’s witnessed in his 22 years as president. A meeting between Lotito and Sarri is expected in the coming days to discuss the situation, potentially leading to a contentious negotiation given Sarri’s contract extends until 2028. The possibility of a separation appears increasingly likely, potentially triggering a dispute over the terms of the existing agreement.
