Official: Lazio confirm Baroni departure and re-hire Sarri as head coach | OneFootball

Lazio have officially announced the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as head coach and the departure of Marco Baroni just 15 months after Sarri’s last stint in charge of the Biancocelesti came to an end.

Sarri has been appointed head coach of Lazio on a two-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months, the club has confirmed.

The club have also confirmed the departure of former head coach Baroni with a short statement that read: “S.S. Lazio thanks Marco Baroni for the professionalism and commitment shown during his time at the helm of the first-team. The club wishes the coach all the best in his professional fortunes. Thank you, Mister.”

Sarri returns after a 15-month absence, having resigned from his position as head coach before the end of the 2023-24 season amidst a poor run of form, which culminated with a 2-1 loss against relegation-threatened Udinese.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri looks dejected during the Serie A TIM match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at Gewiss Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Lazio took the opportunity to announce Sarri’s appointment with an amusing video, showing white smoke appearing from behind an open door, with the sound of a cigarette lighter being ignited, a nod to the coach’s most recognisable habit.

How Lazio have ended up with Sarri again

Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri looks on prior to the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Lazio, on August 20, 2022 at the stadio Olimpico in Turin. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

After a 15-month break away from top-flight management, Sarri will now take charge of Lazio again heading into the 2025-26 season.

Sarri was initially replaced by current Juventus head coach Igor Tudor after his resignation last March, but Tudor ended up resigning himself just a few months later, almost exactly one year ago.

Marco Baroni was called in to replace Tudor, and despite a promising start to life in the capital, Lazio collapsed in spectacular fashion in the final game of the season.

Though there was still a slim, but mathematical chance of qualifying for the Champions League heading into the final weekend of the 2024-25 campaign, Lazio were beaten 1-0 by relegation-threatened Lecce, which left the Biancocelesti in 7th place in the standings and out of the European places altogether.

Baroni’s position became untenable, and reports of his expected departure broke the day after the season came to an end.

Now, the club returns to Sarri with the hope of qualifying for Europe in 2025-26.

What Lazio said about Sarri

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Maurizio Sarri during the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“S.S. Lazio is pleased to announce the return of Maurizio Sarri at the helm of the First Team,” a statement on the club website read.

“After the experience that began in 2021, the Tuscan coach returns to wear the Biancocelesti colours, recalled by an uninterrupted bond with the club, with the fans and with a team that has been able to express their playing style and togetherness under his guidance.

“The club confidently entrusts Sarri with the technical aspect of the project, with the conviction that his style, his consistency and his working culture bring solid foundations to build an ambitious , Lazio-worthy future.

Meanwhile, President Claudio Lotito added: “Maurizio Sarri has returned home. His return is a choice from the heart.  We want to resume a journey with him that interrupted too soon, knowing that together, we can bring back enthusiasm, identity and ambition. Welcome back to your home, Commander.”