The Italian, appointed to take over from Antonio Conte only three weeks ago, is remarkably, the ninth different permanent manager to be appointed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich since he bought the club in 2003.
Sarrim who had a smile on his face as he made his plea on Friday, knows full well that Abramovich has a fearsome reputation as a man with little patience with his managers at Chelsea, with Luiz Felipe Scolari lasting only seven months in the hot seat in 2008-09.
In fact the longest anyone has managed under the Russian billionaire is Jose Mourinho in his first spell at the club – three years three months.
Former Napoli manager Sarri faces his friend and admirer Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team on Sunday in the Community Shield game at Wembley, insisting that he wants to pick up some silverware early in his Chelsea career – but warning that it will be tough.
Sarri, who has only been working with his squad for two and a half weeks, admitted that to survive he knows he will have to win trophies, and he said: “Will I get time to get it right like Pep?
“It depends on the club. I want to stay here for 10 years.
“I know I have to win. And then it depends on the club. I want to stay here for a long time.”
Sarri joined on a three year contract last month after lengthy negotiations finally prised him away from Napoli, where he had already been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. His team at Napoli won widespread praise for the football they played – but he did not win a trophy in his three years there.
The 59 year old Italian said: “It is important to start with a trophy. Important to prepare for the step forward.
“First of all I am looking forward to playing at Wembley, because it is my first time.
“The match will be difficult for us. I want to win because. But right now it is the performance that is important.
“We have to improve of course. I hope to see from my team another improving performance.”
Sarri has this week been frustrated in seeing several transfer targets slip through his fingers, with striker Gonzalo Higuain and defender Mattia Caldara both joining AC Milan instead of Chelsea from Juventus, and another defender, Daniele Rugani, now staying with Juve.
Chelsea are still in talks with Inter Milan over tough £30 million midfielder Matias Vecino, and with Shakhtar Donetsk’s former winger Bernard, and are also chasing Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.
They hope to get at least one more deal over the line before next Thursday’s deadline.
Sarri said: “I don’t know what will happen. I talk with the club about the market. We’ve spoken about positions but no names.
“I think we need something. We have very good midfielders – but maybe a midfielder with different characteristics.”
The new Chelsea manager did get one major bonus yesterday as forward Pedro signed a new one year deal.
