It was 10 years ago on Sunday that Scolari was sacked by Abramovich, seven months into his first season, following a goalless draw at home to Hull City, with Chelsea fourth, two places higher than Sarri's side.
Villas-Boas lasted until the March of his debut season at Stamford Bridge before the axe swung with Chelsea fifth.
Like Sarri, Scolari and Villas-Boas failed to win over the Chelsea players with their
methods. Like Sarri, they were stubborn in their beliefs and paid a heavy price. Is history about to repeat itself a third time?
City were 4-0 up when their supporters broke into sarcastic chants of "You need Mourinho" in the 37th minute and, watching the way Chelsea downed tools at the Etihad Stadium, only 11 days after a pasting at Bournemouth in their previous away outing, it is hard to escape the feeling these players have stopped listening to Sarri as they did Jose Mourinho in late 2015.
Publicly admitting he might be ill equipped to motivate them after the 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth was an own goal from Sarri but they blow like the wind, these Chelsea players, clocking off at the first sign of a kink in the road. If Sarri goes, whoever replaces him may have his work cut out. But the former Napoli coach really is not helping himself.
It was one of those minor mysteries when the fourth official's board kept going up and Jorginho's number was never called. He was by no means the only guilty party — this was a risible collective failure.
But quite how the Italy midfielder remained on the pitch after such an apathetic display that not only reinforced his physical limitations but also raised questions about his mentality was baffling and pointed again to the blind spot Sarri seems to have over his compatriot.
How long before Sarri accepts that Jorginho, for now at least, is floundering and central midfield needs reconfiguring? N'Golo Kante looked as lost as anyone in that more advanced midfield position Sarri keeps insisting he plays.
In just seven weeks, there has been a 12-point swing between Chelsea and a resurgent Manchester United, who now occupy fourth.
Chelsea can't afford to miss out on the top four a second successive season. There are similarities between the way Sarri started with a bang at Chelsea and Guardiola at City, before problems set in, but the similarities end there.
Guardiola knew his tactics would take time to register but there was a discernable plan, he knew he would get the signings he wanted and retain his best players. Can Sarri say the same at Chelsea? Guardiola also had his squad firmly on side. Motivation was not an issue. Moreover, he had the complete faith of his employers.
Abramovich's faith in Sarri is about to face its fiercest test.
- Telegraph Group, UK
