Chelsea manager Antonio Conte could reportedly face being sacked by the club if they lose against Manchester United in Sunday's Premier League showdown at Stamford Bridge.
Conte steered the Blues to the Premier League title less than six months ago, winning a record 30 matches in the process as Chelsea bounced back from a disappointing 2015-16 campaign to regain their place at the top of English football.
However, things have not been so straightforward this season, with Chelsea sitting second in their Champions League group and fourth in the Premier League, already nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Defeat to United and former boss Jose Mourinho could see that gap grow to 12 points by the end of this weekend, and The Times reports that owner Roman Abramovich would seriously consider the Italian's position should that be the case.
Reports of discontent off the field have also refused to abate so far this season, with Conte and Abramovich understood to have fallen out over demands made by the Italian in the aftermath of his title triumph.
Members of the Chelsea board are rumoured to be campaigning for Conte's exit, while there has even been talk of player unrest amongst the squad due to the manager's training regime.
Conte, for his part, has been frustrated by the club's transfer activity, and their refusal to allow him more control over who comes into Stamford Bridge is thought to be one of the main reasons behind the conflict.
Abramovich is willing to give Conte time to turn the team's fortunes around, but defeat on Sunday could tip the Italian closer to the exit door.
Barney Corkhill
