Antonio Conte To Sue Chelsea Over ‘Sack’

Antonio Conte is set to take legal action against former club Chelsea, according to The Times

The 48-year-old’s two-year spell at Stamford Bridge came to an end when the Blues announced his sack last week.

“Chelsea Football Club and Antonio Conte have parted company,” the statement read.

“During Antonio’s time at the club, we won our sixth league title and eighth FA Cup. In the title winning season, the club set a then-record 30 wins in a 38-game Premier League season, as well as a club-record 13 consecutive league victories.”

The Italian took charge of the players for four days pre-season training before a meeting with Chairman Bruce Buck which brought an end to his tenure.

The former Juventus manager is reportedly demanding compensation on top of the £9 million salary that he is entitled to receive for the final year of his contract.

He claims he deserves to be compensated for loss of future earnings and the damage to his career, caused by the club’s delay in sacking him.

The delay, which his lawyers might claim, will be a detriment to his to inability to gain employment elsewhere this summer.

A poor start to 2018, which resulted in Chelsea missing out on Champions League qualification last season, had put the Italian under heavy critism from the club’s hierarchy.

He was also resigned to leaving the Blues since January after a collapse in relationship with both players and the board at the London club over transfers.

Real Madrid were believed to be interested in Conte after Zinedine Zidane left in May, while the 48-year-old was also available earlier this year.

His dismissal from Stamford Bridge, 55 days after he led them to victory in the FA Cup final, has triggered legal battle from Conte’s legal team, who claims their client should have been release months earlier.

Since Conte’s exit, Chelsea have since announced Maurizio Sarri as the new manager and the club’s legend Gianfranco Zola as his assistant.

Chelsea will begin the new campaign when they play Manchester City in Community Shield on August 5.

The Blues will also begin the English Premier League season against Huddersfield on August 11.