Maurizio Sarri Takes Aim at Club’s Hierachy After Lazio Labor to Victory Against Rock-Bottom Verona

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has taken aim at the club’s hierarchy after fielding Kenneth Taylor against Hellas Verona after just one training session.

Lazio, and in particular Maurizio Sarri, have had to contend with a barrage of stumbling blocks in recent seasons, albeit self-inflicted.

Not least Lazio’s transfer ban, which has now lifted as of January 2026 having been prevented from signing any new players since mid-2025. President Claudio Lotito’s financial mismanagement saw them sanctioned for failing in key financial health indicators, including liquidity and debt.

The transfer ban was a sour welcome gift for Maurizio Sarri, who after making a heartfelt return the club after resigning 15 months earlier, was pegged back in his attempts to begin rebuilding Lazio’s squad.

His decision to return was out of love and admiration for the club and its fans, and the now-67-year-old said he would have resigned had the ban occurred at any other team.

“What I’ve done till now, I would have only done it for one club. If another had told me they couldn’t make any moves on the market after signing a contract, I would have definitely left immediately.”

However, as Lazio struggle to make good on their aspirations for European qualification, Sarri has let his frustrations with the Lazio board be known.

Maurizio Sarri Criticizes Lazio Board After Verona Win

Despite a late own goal putting an end to Lazio’s four-game winless run against Verona, Sarri had some choice words reserved for the club’s hierarchy.

He admitted: “A transfer ban, injuries, suspensions, new players to integrate: this is the toughest campaign of my career. In Serie A I’ve never gone through so many difficulties. But I still go to training every day with pleasure.”

Indeed, Lazio have been blighted by a string of injuries this season, which of course was not helped by their limited ability in the summer transfer window.

However, Sarri has fresh criticism for the board, who he says have not made enough effort to improve the squad.

“I have my objectives very clear in my head: to build a team that, with a couple of additions, can become a higher-level side. What baffles me is that at Lazio, every year you get the feeling it’s year zero all over again.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve thrown on a player who’s had just one training session with me: that says a lot about the difficulties we’re facing. I only know [Kenneth] Taylor partially.

He also continued in response to Lotito’s claims that management has control of signings, while Sarri only has to coach them.

“Did they get it right on the market? In some roles they’re close, in others, not even remotely. I’d need a midfielder who combines quantity, quality and a few goals. I fear he might cost around eighty million, though.”

After Castellanos and Guendouzi’s departures, Lazio are left scrambling to bolster the squad this month.

Kenneth Taylor and Petar Ratkov have already arrived, while Lazio are pursuing Wilfried Gnonto with the 22-year-old Italian continuing to attract admirers from home.