Former Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola says the club should've fought harder to keep Maurizio Sarri.

Sarri left Chelsea last month to take charge of Juventus.

“I think the best of Maurizio's work comes not in the first year but more from the second year onwards," he told talkSPORT.

“Looking at the way he works, it takes a little bit of time to put in place what he wants to do and also he is very demanding on the players.

“But, after the players get used to it, they get better and better and the work becomes more effective.

“It's a pity, because I think it would have been good for the club if Maurizio stayed and it would have been good for Maurizio as well."

Like Sarri, Zola has left Chelsea and added: “Of course, it's always painful, but we have to be professional and I think Chelsea are looking forward, they made other choices and I respect them, I have no problem with that."