The departure of fiery Italian Antonio Conte from the Chelsea hot seat is one of the worst-kept secrets in European football at present. A dismal defense of the Blues’ Premier League title has placed undue pressure on Conte, with owner Roman Abramovich reining in the club’s spending in readiness for giving a new manager a war chest to work with. Conte’s failure to even secure a Champions League berth for the 2018-19 campaign has also left the Italian with few friends in the Blues’ boardroom.
With the Champions League qualification almost impossible now for the Blues, the FA Cup is Conte’s last opportunity to secure some silverware this season. It’s been six years since Chelsea won the FA Cup. They reached the final in 2017 when London rivals Arsenal dashed both Conte’s league and cup dreams. Nevertheless, after their comfortable 2-0 semifinal victory over the struggling Southampton — including a spectacular solo effort from Olivier Giroud — only Jose Mourinho and Manchester United stand in the way of the Blues bagging the trophy this time around.
Still, even an FA Cup triumph over the club’s former iconic boss Mourinho is unlikely to satisfy the club’s hierarchy as they plot a new strategy to compete with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. It is reported that the main reason Conte has not already departed is likely due to a protective clause put in place upon his joining Chelsea. A better solution for both parties is for Conte and his advisors to find a new home for the Italian in the close season. The Paris Saint-Germain job is likely to be up for grabs this summer, but German Thomas Tuchel is reportedly the favorite to take the helm in the French capital.
Abramovich’s number-one target to replace Conte at Stamford Bridge is reportedly former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique. However, the news of Arsene Wenger’s departure from Arsenal after 22 years with the Gunners could see the Blues face stiff competition for Enrique’s services. Former Blues chief Carlo Ancelotti is also looking to return to work in the Premier League, having plotted a move back to London. Meanwhile, Juventus coach Max Allegri could be an option, regardless of whether Juventus win the Serie A title this year, with his stock as high as it can possibly be with the Old Lady.
One thing’s for certain, Conte is a born winner and will be desperate to go out with a bang and a Wembley FA Cup final win to his name. Although he has been frustrated with the purse strings tightening, Conte will likely fight to right the wrongs of the Blues’ disappointing cup final defeat to Arsenal last May. With the Champions League qualification now well and out of the window, all eyes will be on the cup final between now and then, especially with the likes of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata not being risked too heavily in the closing league fixtures to prioritize for the cup final. Given Conte’s tumultuous relationship with Jose Mourinho, it would be fitting for the Italian to leave having got one over on his old Portuguese rival.