After the months and months and oh-so-many countless months of reports suggesting he would, Antonio Conte has finally left his position as manager of Chelsea FC.
When he first signed to the club two seasons ago it appeared it would be a marriage made in heaven. He adopted the 3-4-3 approach and won the Premier League title in his first season. The three at the back formation stayed on and soon many clubs started to use it, with even veteran bosses like Arsene Wenger deciding on the formation and earning some success with it.
But in Conte's second season, performances from the players started to wither and the relationship he once had with the fans soon became a fraught and bitter. Chelsea did win the league but also missed out on a Champions League spot for next season.
So Conte tried to angle for an exit, one which would see him pocket a tidy sum of £ 9 million. Not bad going there, Conte. His contract was eventually terminated and the Blues signed up former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri - but this did mean that Chelsea would have to pay the 9 million quid to Conte.
But they have decided on a different approach, according to Sky Sports. Chelsea reportedly claiming that Conte breached his contract through unprofessional behaviour and alienating players.
And their evidence lies in Conte's infamous text to former striker Diego Costa, in which he alleged to have said to the Spaniard: "Hi Diego, I hope you are well," Conte allegedly sent. "Thanks for the season we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan."
This reported text did no favours with Conte, as the man who was firing on cylinders before was looking for a way out of the club.
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