Sports

Axed Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte set for immediate return with European giants

Published

6 years ago

July 24, 2018

Axed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is on the verge of an immediate return to management after holding talks with AC Milan to replace Gennaro Gattuso, according to reports.

The 48-year-old finally left Chelsea after a long stand-off with the club over his £9million pay-off, and is believed to be preparing legal action over the nature of his exit.

However, Chelsea’s decision to sack Conte may not have cost them as much as they initially feared, with multiple reports in Italy claiming that the Italian is in talks with AC Milan.

American investment company Elliott Management have now completed their takeover of the Serie A club after former owner Li Yonghing failed to replay £28m in debt.
That has kick-started a shakeup at the San Siro, with Paolo Scaroni installed as the club’s new President, while Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is on the verge of becoming their new CEO.
Leonardo is also expected to replace Massimiliano Mirabelli as the club’s sporting director – it was the latter who sanctioned a long-term contract for Gattuso at the end of last season.
That has left Gattuso with few allies in the boardroom, and contact has already been made with Conte who has given his absolute approval to the move – though is conscious of his ongoing legal situation with Chelsea.
Naples radio show Radio Kiss Kiss are even reporting that Conte’s move could be completed ‘within hours’, though the Italian is believed to have asked for time to resolve his situation with Chelsea.
Conte was furious that he was made to return for pre-season training and believes he is entitled to compensation for damages to his career and a potential loss of future earnings.
Were he to talk straight into a new job at AC Milan, however, that would complicate his case, though the lure of taking charge of a resurgent Rossoneri with money to burn could prove too tempting.