Maurizio Sarri will reportedly make Chelsea Legend Gianfranco Zola his assistant once he gets the Premier League job.
That's according to the Daily Mail, with reports suggesting the former Napoli Boss will take over at the West London club in the coming days.
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Sarri left his role at Serie A Club Napoli to be replaced by Carlo Ancelloti and as been strongly linked as Antonio Conte's replacement at Chelsea after a poor performance last season.
He has been identified as Chelsea's No. 1 target but the situation is thought to be edging closer to completion after weeks of trying to sort out a deal.
And should Sarri be appointed manager, Zola who left in 2003 and has coached West Ham, Watford and Birmingham City will return to the club as assistant manager.
Zola who was a huge fan favourite during his seven years with the London Club in which he scored 80 goals in 311 appearances across all competitions.
The Italian has been jobless since he resigned from his job at Birmingham City after two wins from 24 matches with the Championship club.
Meanwhile, the situation with Sarri's contract is far from simple due to the fact he is still under contract for two years and Chelsea are required to pay a compensation fee to Napoli to appoint him, despite his exit from the club.
The two clubs are thought to have been haggling over that fee and it was reported that Napoli will lower their demands to facilitate the process.
Sarri is expected to rob his former club Napoli for some players linked to follow him to the Premier League such as Dries Martens, Raul Albion and Jose Callejon.
Current Manager Conte, who won the Premier League Title in his first season in England has a year left of his contract meaning Chelsea would have to pay him compensation to relieve him of his duties.
