Maurizio Sarri is cutting a lonely figure at Juventus and is only in a job because of Cristiano Ronaldo's blistering form, according to reports in Italy.
The Italian press have been scathing of Sarri's management of Juventus and that intensified following a 2-1 defeat away at Verona.
Juventus have been beaten three times in Serie A and are now second in the league on goal difference to Inter Milan, who have only lost once this season.
The front page of Corriere dello Sport reports that 'Sarri is alone', adding they are only in the position they are because of Ronaldo's 20 league goals.
It adds: 'From the beginning, Sarri was greeted by a bit of skepticism, at least as regards the black and white people split in half between those who hoped for a change in the game and those who continued to prefer victory over everything else.'
Sarri's ability to galvanise his squad has also been questioned with the examples of Mario Mandzukic and Emre Can used - both have left Juventus since Sarri took charge last year.
Similar has also been said about the way Sarri has stuck with Gonzalo Higuain, who has scored eight times in 30 appearances.
There is also a fear at Juventus that Sarri could scupper their hopes of winning a ninth Scudetto on the bounce.
There is a strong appetite for among the Juventus hierarchy for the return of Massimiliano Allegri, who won Serie A five times with Juventus before leaving last summer.
Allegri's comments when announcing his departure have also been focused on by Corriere dello Sport.
'Those who win are better than the others. Now I would like to give an example but if I do it all comes down,' Allegri is quoted as saying.
It suggests that, no matter how the team performs on the pitch, winning is always the main priority.
Aiming to produce the perfect performance over the correct result is another criticism that has been made of Sarri's way of playing.
Reports also emerged on Monday night that Juventus president Andrea Agnelli is convinced that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would be the right man to re-invigorate the club.
Guardiola is, however, contracted to City until the summer of 2021 and isn't expected to leave the Premier League champions before his deal expires.
mzeereal
548
Sarri should get better attacking midfielders. at least the attack is good but Sarri believe in Higuain is so much than anything else
TheKingOfPES
486
Sarri lacks the creativity of creating a tactical attack, all he knows to do is useless possession, rotation of the ball between midfielders until they find a defensive mistake to dig in to it and score.. this is the most boring and the worst football ever. Sarri Out.
GOAT-Seven
438
Matuidi Higuain Pjanic and Bonnuci were the players to blame for the decline. Tactics are super fine. The only defect is they don't give their all and disobeyed the rules as seen in the games.
Amanda-
298
Sarri will be fine , if the management gives him what he wants. The management refused to give Conte what he wanted and he left . They gave useless Allegri everything and he turned the team into a defensive project . Give Sarri a team before you judge him . He has only lost 3 games .
vuncemorsz
238
what I ve seen is that juventus have poor midfielders both defensive as well attacking midfielders who couldn't make through ball to the attackers and try to pass to the defenders where attackers lost their interests and the game looks bore and crazy fan turn down. so I suggest couch to improve in Midfielders.
Efinate
159
Sarri has always been the problem. He is too stubborn. That is why even the Chelsea fans dislike him as much as most Juventus fans. He has the most boring and predictable strategies a manager could apply at a football team.
Zaobdikoyz
149
There is no midfield at all. Midfielders at juve are joke. They play rusty and dull football. Players of my college team have better touch than matuidi. It’s been ages when I last saw a decent through in the box. How an you expect such a team to win CL?
SaadAkhtarKhan
108
According to me right now Ronaldo is doing pretty much what Messi did for Valverde, take Ronaldo out from the last few matches, we woulda probably lost most of them. I have said from the beginning sarri is not the man for the job, shoulda gone for Poch