According to Corriere dello Sport, if Sarri's second spell with Lazio were to end, he would seriously consider a move to Fiorentina.
The timing matters. Fiorentina are currently searching for a permanent manager after a turbulent season that began under Stefano Pioli and continued under Paolo Vanoli. Sporting director Fabio Paratici — who previously worked with Sarri at Juventus in 2019 — has recently taken charge of the club's operations, and his admiration for the 67-year-old is well documented.
Rai Sport journalist Paolo Paganini has been even more direct.
"In my opinion, the next Fiorentina coach will be Maurizio Sarri, because he's a profile that Paratici likes a lot," Paganini said on Radio Firenze Viola. "He's a coach with whom we can start a new era."
The connection between Sarri and Florence runs deeper than a job offer. He grew up in Figline Valdarno, a town on the outskirts of the city, and when Fiorentina came calling last summer, they had to be turned down — he had already committed to Lazio.
He was gracious about it.
"I thank the Viola fans. Knowing that they've put up my photos for Florence is a wonderful thing, and I will always be grateful," Sarri said at the time.
The relationship with Lazio president Claudio Lotito, meanwhile, has been openly fractious. The two have clashed publicly over transfer strategy and Sarri has even sided with supporter groups protesting against the club's ownership — describing it as "an act of love."
Whether that relationship survives the summer is uncertain.
Lazio face Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi on Monday, April 13. A stadium, in a city, that would very much like to see him back on a permanent basis.