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Football's worst-kept secret was officially announced this week as Chelsea FC confirmed Maurizio Sarri was leaving the club. Sarri has returned to his country to take on the mammoth task of being the Juventus manager on a three-year contract.
Even though Sarri and the Chelsea fans failed to see eye to eye, the Italian certainly did have some positive moments in charge of the club. He secured a Champions League position, a domestic cup final and a European trophy in his debut season in England.
Sarri achieved 40 victories out of the 63 games he was in charge, which included the longest unbeaten run at the start of a Premier League managerial career where he won an impressive 12 games on the bounce.
Although there were some seriously embarrassing defeats, such as the 6-0 defeat away against Manchester City, Sarri certainly proved his ability as a manager at the highest level of English football. But what were his five best victories as the Chelsea boss? Here's a list:
#5 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Any derby day victory is always something to brag about, but the circumstances surrounding this game made the result even more impressive. Chelsea had just been beaten in the Carabao Cup final in their previous outing, and the squad showed fantastic mental toughness to rebound from that and secure an important three points against Tottenham.
Rumours had been swirling throughout the build-up about Sarri's future due to the circumstances surrounding Kepa Arrizabalaga defying his orders during the final. However, Sarri showed his strength as a manager by dropping his number one goalkeeper, despite the importance of the fixture.
Thankfully, that decision had no impact on the game as Chelsea defended perfectly, ensuring Tottenham didn't have a single shot on target the entire game. A strike from Pedro and an own goal from Kieran Trippier earned the victory in a fantastic result for the club.
#4 Dynamo Kiev 0-5 Chelsea (Europa League Round of 16)
Whilst Chelsea arguably had things wrapped up in the home league with a strong 3-0 victory, the away fixture against Dynamo Kiev was one of the most complete Chelsea performances of the 2018-19 season.
At that point, it really felt like Sarri had things firmly under control, with his formation in effect and his team playing his style of football. From this game on many pegged Chelsea as strong favourites to go all the way and lift the Europa League trophy.
A perfect hat-trick from Olivier Giroud and goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcus Alonso secured one of the club's biggest victories of the season and the club's joint highest victory in Europe ever.
Sarri had his team displaying an unbelievable level of work rate, harrying the Dynamo players regardless of the scoreline and comfort that Chelsea had. It was an example of just how good the squad was too as he rested several top players.
#3 Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea (Carabao Cup Round 3)
Eden Hazard pulled out a goal-of-the-season contender to help Maurizio Sarri's side on their journey towards Wembley in the Caraboa Cup with a fantastic victory against Liverpool FC.
The match, which took place at Anfield in September, was the first time Liverpool had been defeated that season as the Blues fought from behind to earn the victory. Daniel Sturridge had granted the Reds a lead in the 58th minute, but Chelsea battled back to win 1-2.
Two goals in just over five minutes rocked Anfield into silence. Full-back Emerson equalised first before Hazard danced past three Liverpool players and found the back of the net in what was one of his greatest ever goals.
Sarri showed his ability to make substitutions at crucial moments as he introduced Hazard in the second half, with the tricky midfielder's pace proving far too much for Liverpool. Whilst Chelsea didn't end up winning the competition, being defeated by Manchester City in the final, this victory was still an impressive one.
#2 Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City (Premier League)
Most people had written off Chelsea when they hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge at the start of December. But Maurizio Sarri provided a masterclass as he coached his side to arguably his most impressive win in the Premier League.
Just as the Blues had done to Liverpool earlier in the season, Chelsea brought an end to Manchester City's very impressive undefeated run, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Sarri's tactics proved to be too much for the defending Premier League champions, with the Blues defending well and catching City on the counter-attack effectively. Goals from N'Golo Kante and David Luiz secured the win, leaving Manchester stunned.
Whilst Chelsea didn't end up being anywhere near challenging for the title, the result proved that Sarri was capable of matching the top teams in the league. With the result marking the first time Manchester City had been beaten in the league since April 2018, it was one for Sarri to cherish.
#1 Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal (Europa League final)
There is no doubt about what Maurizio Sarri's greatest result was as the Blues boss, and it came in what proved to be his final night in charge of the club. Defeating club rivals Arsenal in the Europa League final was the crowning moment of Sarri's career in London, earning himself his first ever winners' medal in the process.
With footage of a training ground bust-up just days before the game, several key players being out injured and the future of Eden Hazard hanging over the club like a dark cloud, many fans were concerned ahead of the game.
The pressure of the final really was on the Gunners too, with the club needing to win in order to secure a Champions League position for next season. But despite everything, Sarri managed to guide the side to not just a win, but a comfortable one.
With a brace from the departing Hazard and a goal each from Pedro and former Arsenal man Olivier Giroud, Sarri proved he has what it takes to win big games, something he will have to do again this season with Juventus.
