Chelsea’s Sarri wary of fan pressure

LONDON (AP):

Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri says he needs a run of wins to get the club's fans back on his side after a series of bad results.

The Italian, who was subjected to abuse from Chelsea supporters after the side's FA Cup exit to Manchester United on Monday, says: "We need to win three, four matches in a row. It's the only solution."

Chelsea's next three games -- tomorrow's Europa League last-32 second leg against Malmo, Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, and then the English Premier League meeting with crosstown rival Tottenham -- could determine whether Sarri will stay on as coach.

Sarri's position was already being called into question after the 6-0 loss at City in the Premier League on February 10. On Monday, fans ridiculed his possession-based 'Sarriball' football with an expletive.

The 60-year-old coach says: "I can understand very well the frustration of our fans, because they are used to winning. Now we are in trouble, so I can understand very well."

Sarri says he has to imagine he will be Chelsea coach "for a long time, otherwise I cannot work".

Chelsea hold a 2-1 lead over Malmo from their first leg in Sweden.