Antonio Conte is set for the axe despite his FA Cup success, with the Italian highly likely to be shipped out of the club this summer.
Conte’s expected departure comes just a year after his Chelsea side won the Premier League title. However, with a bitterly disappointing campaign, the Blues have missed out on not only the title, but Champions League qualification.
The ex-Juventus manager is also understood to have butted heads with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, having publicly criticised plenty of the club’s board’s decisions in recent months, such as their mistakes in the transfer market.
In addition to the poor run of form, Abramovich is said to be unhappy with Conte’s defensive style of play, according to former Blue, Mario Melchiot, who believes that any replacement must not only bring success but excitement.
Speaking to the talkSPORT’s Sports Breakfast programme, Melchiot said:
I would like to see someone who is a strong character and makes the team play everybody wants to see them play – and win things again. Because at this point now I’m not sure if the owner is pleased with the way Conte has set up [his team] to play because they are defensive.
He wants to play attacking football. I know Roman [Abramovich], I know what he wants. As long as his team doesn’t play the attacking style and it’s too defensive that’s when he gets frustrated with the coaches.
