Industrial. That was the word being used to describe Maurizio Sarri inside Chelsea during the early days of the relationship between football’s odd couple.

Gone was Antonio Conte, his Dolce and Gabbana tailored suits, suspiciously well styled hair and perfectly polished black shoes. And in was an Italian of a very different sort, who munches on cigarette butts, looks like he got dressed in the Stamford Bridge club shop and is overwhelmed by superstition.

Sarri has not been seen in a suit since his unveiling as head coach. His down-to-earth approach struck a chord with the Naples port workers who packed into the dilapidated San Paolo stadium and revelled in landing blows on the traditionally more affluent Northern trio of Juventus, who Sarri’s Napoli team finished second to, AC Milan and Inter.

But it has not gone down so well on the King’s Road, an area of London synonymous with fashion, where personalities have always been cherished and moneyed folk back winners over philosophers. Sarri goes into Wednesday night’s Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal still looking for his first trophy.

Conte was famed for his work ethic, but was also acutely aware of how he came across, both to the Chelsea fans and the outside world. His wild celebrations immediately captured hearts and travelling supporters would delight in him going to the away end to thank them for their backing with an over-the-top double fist pump.