CONTE’S FUTURE IN JEOPARDY

Chelsea manager’s position in peril after Costa text row

ANTONIO CONTE’S public fall- out with Diego Costa has put his future as Chelsea manager in serious doubt. No firm decision has yet been made but Sportsmail understands senior figures at Stamford Bridge are so unhappy with Conte telling their popular striker by text message he is not wanted that they have discussed the astonishing possibil- ity of sacking the Italian. Even by Chelsea’s standards it would be an extraordinary move. Owner Roman Abramovich dismissed Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti after successful spells at the club, while Chelsea’s only Champions League win was not enough to keep Roberto di Matteo in a job.

All three, however, suffered a downturn in results prior to their respective dismissals. Conte has experienced no such decline in fortunes, the Italian earning the affection of the club’s fans not only by turning a team that finished 10th in the previous Premier League campaign into champions but with the passion he displays on the touchline.

His handling of Costa and his apparent unhappiness with the club hierarchy over transfers this summer does, however, amount to a serious error of judgment. Abramovich has made it clear in the past, particularly in the case of Mourinho, that no manager is bigger than the club — and certainly

him — and the Russian billionaire has never appreciated having his authority publicly challenged. The fact is Abramovich, other senior boardroom figures and the players want Costa to stay for their return to the Champions League as well as their bid to retain the title. It leaves Conte isolated when he does not seem to be prepared to back down over Costa, his anger sparked by the 28-year- old’s attempt to force a move to China last January. While Conte obviously has influence with a transfer panel at Chelsea that comprises Abramovich, Marina Granovskaia, Eugene Tenenbaum and technical director Michael Emenalo, the text message he sent to Costa was regarded as interference never mind a costly mistake. Chelsea estimate it will wipe around £30million off Costa’s transfer fee should they now be forced to sell.

But Conte, who is currently on holiday, is understood to be antagonising his employers in others ways, not least when it comes to transfers.

While Conte is understood to be frustrated by the club’s apparent hesitancy in pursuing players like Dries Mertens, Virgil van Dijk, Alvaro Morata, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Belotti, the club hierarchy are suspicious that in the background the Italian’s unofficial agent is trying to set up deals without their knowledge.

Federico Pastorello, the Italian middle-man who represents Conte, is believed to have approached clubs and players wanted by his client in the hope that he can create enough momentum to make something happen. Again, however, this is viewed as unwanted interference by Chelsea and it is creating a power struggle that Conte cannot possibly win.

But, it should be recognised, the Chelsea manager made a point of distancing himself from Pastorello’s brother Andrea when he suggested in April that Conte’s tenure at Stamford Bridge could be short-lived.

But Conte is not shy when it comes to confrontation with his employers. In his three years at Juventus he clashed with them every summer over transfers, eventually walking into the Italy job in 2014.

On this occasion, however, it might not be Conte’s decision to quit. Unless matters can be resolved Abramovich could soon be looking for his 13th manager — permanent and temporary — in 14 years.

A club spokesman last night denied sacking Conte had been discussed by the board, insisting: ‘We are working to secure the transfer targets agreed by the board and Antonio.’