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Report: Conte turfed by Chelsea

Catherine Ivill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Chelsea's murky managerial situation is now a bit clearer.

Antonio Conte has been reportedly sacked by the west London lot, ending a two-year spell with Chelsea that saw the Italian tactician lead the club to the 2016-17 Premier League title.

Conte's exit paves the way for Maurizio Sarri's arrival from Napoli, with the Telegraph's Matt Law reporting that Chelsea could foot the bill for Conte's £9-million compensation should the former Italy boss take a year sabbatical from management. Chelsea had reportedly been resistant to the idea of paying Conte's severance, with Law adding that the club waited in hopes he'd find a gig despite returning to the Blues' first-team training on Monday.

Hamstrung by alleged internal issues that saw Conte lose a measure of input on transfers and scouting savant Michael Emenalo leave for Monaco in November, the manager's impending departure from the club was further fuelled by Napoli's hiring of Carlo Ancelotti. Even with Ancelotti's appointment, Napoli resisted letting Sarri out of his contractual terms.

According to the Telegraph's report, Sarri is set to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Chelsea, increasing talk of Jorginho's potential move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea would reportedly shell out £50 million, plus an additional £7-million fee in bonuses, for the Italian international midfielder and Sarri.

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