No place for Klose at Lazio as Martusciello takes over from Sarri

Maurizio Sarri has resigned as Lazio coach and will be replaced by assistant Giovanni Martusciello, the mid-table Serie A club said on Wednesday.

The statement ended speculation that German 2014 World Cup winner Miroslav Klose, who played at the Rome club 2011-2016, could become the new helmsman.

Sarri, 65, had been in charge since 2021 and had a contract until 2025.

But the club confirmed news reports that Sarri had stepped down in the wake of three league defeats that left the team in ninth place, and a Champions League last 16 exit against Bayern Munich.

"The club would like to thank the coach for his achievements and for the work he has done, wishing him the best of luck in his professional and personal life," Lazio said.

Klose, 45, had been mentioned as a possible successor, and he told Prime Video around Tuesday's Champions League match between Barcelona and Napoli that he would be ready.

"Yes of course. I could be there tomorrow. I would do it," the 45-year-old said.

The 2014 World Cup winner and all-time World Cup top scorer Klose played the final five years of his career at Lazio, after previous spells at Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen and Bayern, and was a fan favourite there.

His only stint as head coach of a senior team was an unsuccessful one at Austrian top flight club Altach.