Sarri snubbed Pep Guardiola’s handshake as the final whistle blew on Chelsea’s biggest defeat since crashing 7-0 to Nottingham Forest in 1991.
And the Italian accepts he could now face the sack. “It is right,” he said. “I am in charge of the team so it is right. My job is always at risk.
“At the moment I am not able to explain. We were in trouble. I am not able to understand. I am worried about my team and the performance. At the moment we have a big problem away.”
Guardiola was “proud” of his team after emerging from three matches in eight days – against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea – with nine points and a foothold at the top of the table.
But he admitted that Manchester United now have a huge say in the destination of the Premier League title with Liverpool set to play their game in hand at Old Trafford on February 24.
“We are top of the league but we have to wait to see when Liverpool go to Old Trafford now as we have played one more game,” he said.
“They win that and they are leaders, with us behind. But I am proud of my players.
“We have to go game by game and with 11 games left we are going to try until the end to retain the title. But we are there and that’s what I’m proud of.
“Normally people fall down after what happened last season [when City were champions], but we are there and it’s nice.”
Chelsea defender Cezar Azpilicueta described the performance as “unacceptable” and apologised to the club’s fans.
More worryingly he hinted that it is not a united side.
“When we won at Stamford Bridge [against City in December] it was because we played well and were together. Today that was not the case,” he said. “All I can do is apologise to the fans because it is not acceptable.”
Guardiola offered his support for Sarri insisting he did not have a problem with the Italian despite the lack of a handshake after the game.
“I know what he wants to do,” he said. “They beat us at Stamford Bridge and against Napoli last season it was tight, they were better at moments.
“People don’t understand how difficult the first year can be. People need time, only depends on the owners, the people in charge need to believe.”