Background
Chelsea Football Club has reportedly made a lucrative offer to Antonio Conte to return as manager, according to Italian paper La Repubblica. This comes as a surprise, given Conte’s tumultuous departure from the club in 2018.
Antonio Conte’s Previous Stint at Chelsea
Conte first joined Chelsea in 2016 and led the team to a Premier League title in his first season. However, his second season was marked by a fifth-place finish and a bitter spat with the club’s hierarchy, ultimately resulting in his sacking.
The Sacking and Its Aftermath
Antonio Conte was axed on July 13, 2018, but not before taking charge of the team’s first pre-season sessions. The sacking came at a significant cost, with Chelsea paying out £26.6million in compensation and legal fees.
Antonio Conte’s Career Since Leaving Chelsea
After leaving Chelsea, Conte took a year out before joining Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title and guided the team to the Europa League final. He then joined Tottenham Hotspur, but his tenure was marked by controversy, including a fiery rant against his own players, which ultimately led to his sacking.
The Current Situation at Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino is currently under pressure as Chelsea manager, with the team languishing in ninth place. Conte has emerged as a serious target to replace Pochettino, but Chelsea will face stiff competition from AC Milan and Napoli, who are also interested in the Italian manager.
The Offer
According to La Repubblica, Chelsea has been in “close contact” with Conte in recent days and has made a lucrative offer to tempt him back to Stamford Bridge.
