Under-fire manager Antonio Conte unfazed by talk of Chelsea sack

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 January 2018

Antonio Conte admits that, while he sometimes has sleepless nights, he does not fear being sacked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that he is feeling "relaxed" despite talk that his job at Stamford Bridge is under serious threat.

The fiery Italian reportedly upset his superiors with public comments made regarding the club's transfer policy earlier this week.

Conte suggested that he has little say on which players join the Premier League champions, having previously claimed that he missed out on some of his main targets in the summer.

Reports in the British press suggest that owner Roman Abramovich has already started lining up replacement options, with Conte now living on borrowed time in West London following the midweek EFL Cup exit at Arsenal.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, however, the 48-year-old claimed that he does not fear the axe as it is part of being a football manager.

"If you look at the steps you can see that in 14 years, 10 managers have been sacked at this club," he said. "At the same time when you are sure about your work, I am very relaxed. I don't get these type of worries.

"It is not simple but you know that I live for this job with great passion and great love. For this reason, sometimes I do not sleep when you have to deal with difficult situations.

"I try to do the best for the team, for the players and for the fans. To play every three days, for us, is not simple. We have to hope to have all our players available."

Chelsea remain in Champions League and FA Cup contention, with a home match against Newcastle United to come on Sunday afternoon in the latter of those competitions.