If Antonio Conte is still Chelsea manager in 12 months' time I would be 'very surprised', says Jamie Carragher
Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Blues just months after winning the title, and the former Liverpool defender can see things starting to go the same way for Conte
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jamie Carragher believes Antonio Conte could go the same way as Jose Mourinho and leave Chelsea within a year of winning the title.
The Italian led the Blues to the Premier League last season but has cut a frustrated figure over the summer.
Rumours coming out of Stamford Bridge suggest Conte has been frustrated by the club’s sluggishness in the transfer window.
"I'd be very surprised if I'm sitting here in 12 months' time and he's the Chelsea manager," Carragher, the former Liverpool defender and current Sky Sports pundit, said on Monday night.
"I think he's the type of manager who won't accept the involvement from people above, especially on the back of winning the title.
"He's not going to go quietly and it's not great for the club when the manager is coming out and speaking the way he is."
Conte went some way to dispelling exit rumours after signing an improved contract at Chelsea last month but crucially that did not extend his stay in west London, with the new deal still expiring in the summer of 2019.
Following Chelsea’s defeat in the Community Shield on Sunday, Conte continued his quest for more signings, saying his “small squad” needed to be improved before the “most difficult” season of his career.
But Carragher believes the club’s hierarchy – spearheaded by owner Roman Abramovich and technical director Michael Emenalo – will not bow to the pressure.
"What I would say is Chelsea have a business model, a very ruthless one. They're a bit like Real Madrid in that I don't think they value the manager like other clubs do.
"They're not scared to get rid of a top manager or get rid of someone after 12 months, but you can't really complain. Since Abramovich came in I think they've won more trophies than anyone.
"They have a model where they have a big say over how that club is run; the owner, Emanalo and people involved there.
"Maybe that is a frustration for Conte. He wants more players coming in."
Carragher believes the club’s Russian owner could soon grow tired of Conte’s outbursts to the press.
"The success they've in changing manager means they're not going to take anything like that off Conte,” Carragher added.
"They got rid of Mourinho, they got rid of Ancelotti and I would be very surprised if he's here in 12 months."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments