Chelsea sack Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte Chelsea

Chelsea have dismissed Antonio Conte as coach according to multiple media reports.

The Italian was told he was axed at a meeting on Thursday after two years in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck drove to their Cobham training ground to deliver the news to Conte, who won the Premier League title and the FA Cup during his two-year reign.

First-team players were given the afternoon off from their pre-season training regime.

Buck was seen leaving the training ground at 2.10pm in his classic Porsche after delivering the news, which has been expected since the end of last season.

Conte was driven to training by assistant manager, Carlo Cudicini, the former Chelsea and Spurs goalkeeper.

The 48-year-old had reported back for duty at the start of the week and began taking first-team pre-season training as usual.

At the same time, the Blues board had been busy trying to agree on a deal which would see Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri take charge of the club.

Conte still had a year to run on a £9m-a-season deal, renegotiated last summer in the wake of the league championship triumph and will be due a hefty payoff.

He is likely to take a sabbatical while he considers his next move.

There is no official statement from the Blues camp yet.