Maurizio Sarri signs deal to become Chelsea boss, with Gianfranco Zola as assistant

The former Napoli coach signed the deal to take over from Antonio Conte following a two-and-a-half hour meeting with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.

Napoli's president revealed Sarri was close to finalising a deal to take over at Chelsea on Wednesday, two days before Conte's sacking was confirmed by the Premier League club.

A series of misdemeanours - the most recent a 20,000 euros fine and two-game ban in January for alleged homophobic abuse of Roberto Mancini - looked to have steered the west London club away from appointing the 60-year-old.

Sarri was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti as Napoli manager last month but remained at the club as a compensation settlement between the 51-year-old and the Serie A club was agreed.