CONTE FACING SACK EVEN IF HE WINS CUP
But Conte is facing the sack even if Chelsea lift trophy
See Pages 116-117
EXACTLY how Antonio Conte fell from Chelsea darling to the brink of exile in the time it takes the earth to orbit the sun remains a mystery to him — or so he says. ‘I must be honest, I don’t know about this,’ said Conte, shaking his head and tiptoeing around how today’s FA Cup final against Manchester United is expected to mark the end of his two-year reign, win or lose.
‘For sure, I didn’t change my commitment for the club, my commitment has always been the same. I am pleased with my work. This season, I worked better and harder than last season.’ You need only go back 12 months to find Conte launching himself into the crowd — and celebrating his Premier League triumph with an inflatable crown on his head.
‘I don’t know if something has changed. Last season, we were heroes for Chelsea’s fans and now our status has changed,’ he added.
‘But in my soul and in my heart, I am always a hero because I gave 120 per cent, also this season to solve the problems.’
Even by Chelsea’s standards of expertise in this area, this demise has been a lesson in the art of self-destruction from the moment they failed to complete the Double.
Arsenal beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup final a year ago, Victor Moses was sent off and goalscorer Diego Costa paused on his way out to tell Spanish reporters he would not be sold to China and would only leave for Atletico Madrid.
Costa got his way, but not before the circus was triggered by the manager’s text message confirming the striker was not part of his future plans.
Of the 18-man Chelsea squad selected for the FA Cup final last season, eight are unavailable: sold, on loan or, in the case of David Luiz, ostracised.
Nemanja Matic’s transfer to Manchester United sparked discontent from Conte.
The Italian went silent last summer amid interest in his services from Inter Milan. They were unable to match Chelsea’s new contract offer, which was worth £9million a year but, tellingly, no longer included an extension beyond 2019.
The manager became more distant and brooding as the season unfolded.
Brutal training sessions did not go down well with players when the Champions League meant they had less time to recover.
And, as results deteriorated, so did Conte’s temper and acid tongue.
Luiz was cut adrift after a defeat in Roma and a disagreement about the make-up of the back-three.
He was recalled at Watford when Andreas Christensen was injured. Chelsea lost 4-1 in what was arguably their worst performance of the season, with Tiemoue Bakayoko sent off.
Bakayoko, the £40m replacement for Matic, has struggled to adapt to English football.
So has Alvaro Morata, the club’s £60m record-signing identified to replace Costa and now being kept out of the team by Olivier Giroud, signed in January from Arsenal where he wasn’t a first-team regular.
Few of those signed since the title was won can be considered a success, with the possible exception of Antonio Rudiger. The players do not expect Conte to be in charge next season.
‘Our job is very difficult,’ admitted Conte. ‘Sometimes you can win but the club decides to sack you anyway because they have a reason to do so.’
Stories coming out of Brazil this week claimed Luiz was happy to stay at Stamford Bridge next season — if Conte moved on.
The defender is settled in London and has opened a restaurant with fellow Brazilian Willian, who skipped the chance to back his manager ahead of the FA Cup final.
Willian laughed when asked about Conte and said: ‘Oh boy, do you really want me to tell you?’
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois will not sign new contracts until they know what the future holds. Neither are keen to continue with Conte.
Michy Batshuayi could not wait to join Borussia Dortmund on loan and Kenedy was sent to Newcastle. Both have thrived.
When Chelsea imploded under Jose Mourinho, two years ago, senior players later admitted to losing a fraction of their focus and desire.
Conte says the blame for finishing fifth must be shared equally between him, the players and the club.
He knows the final is likely to be his last game in charge, although Roman Abramovich is reluctant to pay compensation to a manager he suspects has devised his own exit strategy.
When Conte departs, he will realise there is only one man who wears the crown at Stamford Bridge — the Russian owner with a multi-billion pound fortune.
Sometimes you can win but the club decides to sack you anyway