Former Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has undergone heart surgery after doctors discovered a heart rhythm condition.
The 66-year-old Italian, who currently manages Serie A club Lazio, had reportedly planned the procedure in advance following his diagnosis with atrial fibrillation, a common condition that affects heart rhythm.
Atrial fibrillation is known to cause symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
Sarri was treated with a transcatheter ablation procedure, which targets and eliminates abnormal electrical signals in the heart. Lazio confirmed that the operation was successfully carried out at the Tor Vergata Polyclinic using PFA technology, with renowned specialist Professor Andrea Natale leading the medical team. The club’s doctor, Dr. Italo Leo, was also present.
According to the club, the surgery went well and Sarri is expected to return to his coaching duties within a few days. Both the club and the coach expressed gratitude to the hospital and medical team for their professionalism and quality of care.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Sarri was expected to stay in hospital for about 24 hours after the procedure. He is likely to miss three days of training, which will be overseen by his assistant, Marco Ianni, but could resume work as early as Friday.
There is also a possibility that Sarri could be back on the touchline for Lazio’s upcoming league match against his former club Napoli on Sunday.
Lazio currently sit eighth in the Serie A standings, having recorded six wins, six draws, and five defeats this season.
Sarri is in his second stint with Lazio after returning to the club in the summer, 15 months after stepping down from the role. His managerial career includes spells at Chelsea—where he won the Europa League in 2019—and Juventus, whom he led to the Serie A title in 2020.
