Chelsea’s bitter battle with Antonio Conte could take another twist after the Italian was left “disgusted” over his sacking as the club put the finishing touches to Maurizio Sarri’s appointment as their new head coach.

Despite news of Conte’s departure breaking and players paying their own tributes on social media, Chelsea delayed confirming his exit as lawyers haggled over the terms of his pay-off that could be worth up to £9million.

Chelsea sacked Conte and almost his entire staff at the club’s Cobham training ground after the Italian took a morning session on Thursday, with Sarri now on the brink taking over.

Of Conte’s staff, fitness coach Paolo Bertelli may stay on, although goalkeeping coach Gianluca Spinelli could remain if Thibaut Courtois stays at Chelsea.

Carlo Cudicini is still at the club and he is likely to help Eddie Newton take Friday training. But Sarri’s appointment is now set to go through and he is expected to be joined by Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and Giovanni Martusciello, who he worked with at Empoli.