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Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has won his legal battle against the club, an employment tribunal has ruled.

But the former Blues boss, who won the Premier League in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, has been awarded just over £85,000 in compensation.

Nevertheless, Chelsea accounts recently revealed that the Italian's sacking in 2018 was the most expensive dismissal in the history of English football.

The accounts showed that Conte’s departure, shortly after winning the FA Cup, along with his backroom staff and associated legal costs, cost £26.6million.

Now, Employment Judge Andrew Glennie had stated that he was unfairly dismissed.

"The complaint of unfair dismissal is well founded," he declared. "The respondent shall pay to the claimant a basic award of £1,524 and a compensatory award of £83,682, being a total of £85,206."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Judge Glennie added: "Written reasons will not be provided unless a request is presented by either party within 14 days."

The £26.6million paid to Conte and his backroom staff was revealed in club accounts, published last week, for the financial year ending 30 June 2019

They stated: “Exceptional items in the current year of £26.6m relate to changes in respect of the men’s team management and coaching staff, together with associated legal costs.”

(Image: PA)

The club did not contest the case that was heard in London in August and the judgement was made last Friday.

Chelsea fired Conte and replaced him with compatriot Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2018.

He was sacked on July 13, just a few days after he and the Chelsea players had returned for pre-season training.

Conte subsequently remained out of work until taking over at Inter Milan on May 31 this year.

Conte had 12 months left on his contract when he was dismissed, following a fractious final year at the club, during which he had numerous disagreements over transfer policy. While he won the cup, his side missed out on a top four place.

Chelsea have paid out more than £90million in compensation to sacked managers since Abramovich took ownership of the club in 2003.

Sarri left in June last year for Juventus and was replaced by Frank Lampard, who has led the side into fourth place this term.