Chelsea set to confirm Conte’s departure

Chelsea are expected to confirm the departure of Antonio Conte later today. 

Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is in line to take over at Stamford Bridge and appears to be close to being confirmed as the Blues’ new manager.

Conte took training when some of the Chelsea squad returned for pre-season this week but has long been expected to be replaced this summer.

He was in charge of the Italian national team before taking over at the Bridge in 2016.

Having won the Premier League title in Conte’s first season at the helm, last term was a troubled one for Chelsea – although it ended with them winning the FA Cup.

Napoli recently replaced Sarri with former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti but the 59-year-old remains under contract at the Serie A club.

Chelsea have therefore had to agree a compensation package with Napoli, whose president Aurelio De Laurentiis said on Wednesday that the two clubs were close to a deal.

Italian media quoted De Laurentiis as saying: “Sarri is close to being new Chelsea manager. My lawyers are in talks with his lawyers to finalise everything.”