Maurizio Sarri is facing a virtually impossible task to save his job as Chelsea manager.

Players and coaching staff held a no-holds-barred dressing-room inquest following Monday’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United — a result that left Sarri on the brink of the sack.

The Italian took training as usual at the club’s Cobham HQ at 3pm on Tuesday, but the Chelsea board are almost resigned to replacing him.

Maurizio Sarri is facing a virtually impossible task to save his job as Chelsea manager

Director Marina Granovskaia played a key role in the appointment of Sarri last summer, but following high-level talks on Tuesday there is acknowledgement among the Blues hierarchy that the end is near.

Sarri faces a crucial seven days as he bids to cling to power. Chelsea take a slender 2-1 advantage into Thursday’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Malmo before facing Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

They then face Tottenham in the Premier League next Wednesday. Defeat in any of those games could result in Sarri being fired.

Following a run of five losses in 10 games — including heavy defeats by Bournemouth and City — the board are losing faith in Sarri. They are also acutely aware the fans have turned on their manager, which was evident during the loss to United.

Director Marina Granovskaia (right) played a key role in the appointment of Sarri last summer

Chants of ‘F*** Sarri-ball’ and ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ rang out at Stamford Bridge.

Equally, some of the squad do not believe Sarri is equipped to turn around Chelsea’s flagging season and expect him to be dismissed in the near future.

Frustrations with Sarri’s tactics were aired during Monday’s fiery debrief. Chelsea stars have become more hostile to his instructions in recent weeks, particularly with his stubborn commitment to his Sarri-ball philosophy.

Those concerns were laid bare on Monday, when the players were exasperated by Sarri’s second-half tactics against United. Trailing 2-0, Sarri’s refusal to make potentially game-changing alterations and substitutions infuriated his players. Sarri made two like-for-like substitutions, bringing on Ross Barkley for Mateo Kovacic and Willian for Pedro.

Players and coaching staff held a dressing-room inquest following Monday’s 2-0 defeat

His decision to bring on right back Davide Zappacosta in place of Cesar Azpilicueta — another like-for-like change — caused further consternation, particularly given attackers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud were on the bench.

Sarri’s unwavering dedication to his brand of football is a major issue for many players.

They are bewildered by Sarri fielding Jorginho rather than N’Golo Kante in the pivotal central midfield role. France star Kante is recognised as one of the best players in the world in that position, but has been given box-to-box duties by Sarri.

Chelsea will almost certainly look in-house to replace Sarri on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Gianfranco Zola, Sarri’s assistant, is most likely to take the reins, particularly given he has Premier League managerial experience.

Gianfranco Zola, Sarri’s assistant, is most likely to take the reins if the Italian is sacked

Technical coach Eddie Newton, who has been employed in Chelsea’s senior set-up on several occasions, is another option, as is former Blues defender Paulo Ferreira, who works alongside Newton.

The identity of Chelsea’s next permanent boss is less sure, especially with huge uncertainty over the club’s future. Doubts remain over owner Roman Abramovich’s commitment to Chelsea, with persistent rumours the Russian wants to sell.

Abramovich has not been seen at Stamford Bridge this season after he was denied a visa by the UK government in the summer.

On top of that, the club have a FIFA transfer ban hanging over them amid claims they illegally signed 14 foreign players under the age of 18.

There is also significant doubt over the future of star forward Eden Hazard, who wants to join Real Madrid in the summer.