Former Lazio sports chief Igli Tare insists he didn't leave due to coach Maurizio Sarri.

Tare left Lazio earlier this year, having worked with Sarri and president Claudio Lotito.

He told Il Corriere della Sera: "Farewell to Lazio for Sarri? Absolutely not. Much has been written on this point, but this is not the case. I spoke with Lotito: after 18 years the time had come to part ways in a civil way, without any hassles. It would have been unforgivable for everyone.

"Lazio is in my heart. But I needed to look around, study, learn about other realities. He is a fundamentalist, it's true, someone who wants to do things his way, it's his signature, his characteristic. Whoever takes it, however, knows it, he cannot change it.

"I've never argued with him, but it's not easy, he has his own way of conceiving football and work. Lotito also resembles him: a president with a very strong character. At times I acted as a lightning rod - it's part of the job of a good manager - but my marriage with Lazio had come to an end. Sarri has nothing to do with it. After so many years, you feel the need to see other worlds."