Conte clashed with the Chelsea hierarchy several times over the course of his tenure

Chelsea are set to appoint Maurizio Sarri as head coach after finally dismissing Antonio Conte. The club confirmed Conte’s departure this morning having relieved him of his duties after taking training yesterday.

Conte said goodbye to players and staff, with the club cancelling a training session that the outgoing head coach had planned for the afternoon.

His departure ends an extraordinary saga which has dragged on throughout the summer despite his impending sacking having been an open secret for several months. The 48-year-old was made to return to the club to supervise the start of pre-season despite knowing that he was about to be fired, having clashed with his employers over the date on which training should resume, as The Times revealed last week.