Lazio confirm Baroni ‘asked to leave’ as talks with Sarri continue | OneFootball

Lazio director Angelo Fabiani confirms coach Marco Baroni has asked to leave ‘for his own reasons,’ as negotiations continue with Maurizio Sarri for a return.

It had been reported that the club wanted to sack Baroni after the remarkable 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Lecce, which meant they failed to qualify for any UEFA tournament.

ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Fans of Lazio display a Tifo prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

This was an extraordinary collapse in the latter stages of the season, considering they had been until recently in the running for a top four finish and Champions League spot.

Lazio are trying to frame this as his own decision rather than a dismissal, so there will be a contract termination by mutual consent.

Lazio exit after just one year for Baroni

ROME, ITALY – MAY 25: Matteo Guendouzi of Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on May 25, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Baroni considered it opportune to leave for his own reasons, but Lazio did very well in two competitions and were in the running for the Champions League to the very end,” Fabiani told Il Messaggero newspaper.

“All he needed was a few more points at the Stadio Olimpico.”

The 61-year-old topped the Europa League group stage, but then went out in the quarter-finals, also reaching that stage of the Coppa Italia.

They amassed 27 victories, 13 draws and 12 defeats in all competition.

Baroni was only appointed by Lazio last summer after Igor Tudor also decided to walk away, while he too was brought in back in March 2024 when Sarri left for personal reasons.

Now Sarri is the hot favourite to return to the Biancocelesti following initial negotiations, but they do not yet have an agreement.

Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà claims the offer is a three-year contract worth €2.5m per season plus up to €1.5m in bonuses.