Ex-Barca Boss, Luis Enrique To Replace Conte At Stamford Bridge

Ex-Barca Boss, Luis Enrique To Replace Conte At Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are reportedly planning to replace under-fire manager Antonio Conte with ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

This comes amid reports that Blues owner Roman Abramovic is incensed about Conte’s persistent whining over the club’s lack of spending.

Despite guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season, Conte has been a candidate for the sack in light of the Blues stuttering campaign so far.

He recently accepted the possibility, saying: “I’m not a diplomatic man. I prefer to be honest, to tell the truth in every moment.

“You can see, in 14 years, ten managers were sacked. I see no difference between them and me.”

His frequent complaints have rubbed Chelsea’s billionaire owner Abramovich the wrong way, with sources claiming the ruthless Russian is set to wield the axe in the summer and make Enrique his 12th manager since taking charge in 2003.

The former Juventus manager wants to see out the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract, and will get a £9million pay-off in the event of a sack, Sun writes.

There are also reports that Conte’s relationship with director Marina Granovskaia – Abramovic’s right hand at Stamford Bridge – has broken down.

Spaniard Enrique, 47, has been on Sabbatical since leaving the Nou Camp last summer when his contract expired.

His unemployed status makes him an attractive option for Abramovich given he would not have to prise him away from another club or pay any compensation.

Enrique comes with an impressive CV, having won La Liga twice, the Copa del Rey three times and the Champions League during his three-year reign at Barca.