Antonio Conte haunted by Diego Costa text as Chelsea haggle over £9m pay-off by arguing the Italian cost them millions
Chelsea officially ended the Italian coach’s two-year reign in a 61-word statement but the saga looks set to continue
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CHELSEA are haggling with axed Antonio Conte to try to slash his £9million pay-off.
The Italian had a year left on his contract but the Blues want to cut his compensation by claiming he cost them millions of pounds over his treatment of Diego Costa.
Chelsea officially ended the Italian coach’s two-year reign in a 61-word statement having sacked him at the training ground 24 hours earlier.
Ex-striker Costa was informed via a text last summer he was no longer part of Conte’s plans even though the head coach acted without consulting owner Roman Abramovich.
Costa was eventually sold back to former club Atletico Madrid for £67m — a profit of £35m.
But Chelsea believe the manager’s actions damaged their reputation and the player’s transfer value.
Conte’s dismissal is also linked to regular run-ins with the board and criticism of the transfer policy.
Representatives from both sides are now arguing over a compromise deal for Conte, 48, to walk away with a smaller lump sum.
If the two parties fail to agree it could result in a bitter courtroom battle.
Chelsea are expected to announce the arrival of new boss Maurizio Sarri with Stamford Bridge legend Gianfranco Zola as his No 2 in the next 24 hours.
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Five things for Sarri’s inbox
- CONVINCE Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Willian and N’Golo Kante to stay at the club.
- WORK out what to do with the Blues’ army of returning loan players, including England World Cup star Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Michy Batshuayi, Tammy Abraham and Kurt Zouma.
- UNITE the squad again after the latest sacking and period of turbulence at Stamford Bridge.
- GET his defenders to adapt to playing a back four which is Sarri’s tactical hallmark. Predecessor Antonio Conte liked using a back three.
- FIND a spot out of sight at their training ground where he can defy the public smoking ban and feed his 60-a-day smoking habit . . .
His first job will be to step in and try to stop midfielder N’Golo Kante joining Barcelona after Sunday’s World Cup final.
Frenchman Kante, 27, is believed to be interested in a move.
Sarri, 59, also has just a month to sort out issues with stars such as Eden Hazard, Willian and keeper Thibaut Courtois, who grew alienated from Conte during his second season.