Real Madrid & Chelsea firmly in the managerial merry-go-round
These are worrying times for Chelsea fans.
Perhaps not since Roman Abramovich took over at the club in 2003 have the Blues been in such disarray.
Chelsea’s Russian owner is no longer in the UK and has shelved plans for re-building Stamford Bridge due to a dispute over his visa to remain in London.
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Abramovich has moved to Israel and the managerial situation at Chelsea remains in flux.
Whilst Liverpool and Manchester United (amongst others in the Premier League) are making signings, Chelsea are static with no change in their managerial situation.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 6, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Will Chelsea sack Antonio Conte?
Chelsea have been expected to sack Antonio Conte for some time.
The Italian seems eager to be fired by Chelsea as he is due for a pay-off worth around nine million pounds.
However, Chelsea appear to be stalling in both firing Conte and appointing Maurizio Sarri as their new manager since both would involve high fees for managers.
As a result, Chelsea have been linked with Laurent Blanc and Slaviša Jokanović as potential new managers.
Zinedine Zidane’s surprise departure from Real Madrid appeared to give Chelsea an out.
If Los Blancos approached Chelsea for Conte, then they could avoid the pay-off due for the Italian. The Blues might even receive compensation for a manager they were going to sack anyway.
That has come to pass, but Conte has left Chelsea in the same awkward position they were already in.
Conte refuses to negotiate with Real Madrid!
When it comes to transfer news, Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio has established himself as a hugely reliable source.
This accentuates itself for news regarding Antonio Conte, who Di Marzio appears to have very good contacts with.
On Friday, Di Marzio reports that Real Madrid have contacted Antonio Conte, but the Italian manager has refused to negotiate.
Real Madrid identified Conte as a replacement for Zidane, but the ex-Juventus boss wants to “respect his Chelsea contract”.
Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks dejected during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte is still in the dark at Chelsea
According to Di Marzio, Conte has still not heard from Chelsea “and has no intention of taking the first step.”
Conte is annoyed at the lack of clarity from Chelsea but is clearly sitting tight and waiting for the Blues to make their move.
In addition, Conte did not feel the pull of Real Madrid as he does not believe the current Los Blancos group of players would be ready for his style of management.
Whilst the Real Madrid dressing room would not be ready to welcome a coach with “strong and decisive methods.”
With the World Cup now six days away, the uncertainty around Chelsea continues…
Meanwhile, Guti and Fernando Hierro are becoming the most likely replacements for Zidane at the Bernabeu.
Related: Chelsea star happy to stay at Stamford Bridge next season.
What Eden Hazard said to Mohamed Salah after Liverpool lost to Real Madrid.
