Maurizio Sarri was spotted appearing to chew on a cigarette butt during Chelsea’s opening Premier league clash against Huddersfield.
The Italian was taking charge of his first competitive match since becoming Blues boss in the summer and guided his side to a 3-2 victory.
There were no complaints about the football on display, but fans were a little confused when catching sight of him with the butt of a cigarette in his mouth.
English grounds have a strict no smoking policy, which prevented the 59-year-old – who enjoys a cigarette or two from time to time – from lighting up on Saturday afternoon.
He found away around the ban, apparently, by chewing on the end of an unlit stick while watching his Blues do the business against Huddersfield.
One fan who noticed on Twitter wrote: "Maurizio Sarri chewing a cigarette on the bench because you can’t smoke in English football grounds, already my favourite manager."
Sarri was delighted with his start to Premier League life, although admitted the difference in physicality and refereeing is going to take some getting used to.
"I am really very happy because in the first part of the season I think that for us it is not easy to gain points," the Chelsea boss said.
"The first half was hard. If you look at the result, you can think about an easy game, but in the first half we were in trouble for 15 minutes against a very physical team.
"We are not a physical team and I think the best of the game is the capacity of suffering for 15 minutes.
"Then I think in the second half the opponents were a bit tired and it was easier."
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