Antonio Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup during two years with Chelsea, has been sacked as the club's manager.

Conte took training when some of the Chelsea squad returned for pre-season this week but has always been expected to be replaced this summer.

Former Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri is the favourite to take over, with the club's top-flight opener a little over four weeks away.

The breakdown in relationship between Chelsea and former manager Antonio Conte was highlighted in the way his departure was announced.

"I wish you every success in the future".

Several of the first team players at Chelsea have grown frustrated with the former Juventus coach's methods, and the club have taken the decision to move in a new direction.

Like a number of his predecessors, Conte has been dismissed the season after winning a major trophy, pointing to silverware being no guarantee of job security at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea' look set to have a new manager and first summer signing in place in the very near future.

Sarri was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti as Napoli manager last month but remained at the club as a compensation settlement between the 51-year-old and the Serie A club was agreed.

They claim that the deal is now complete, with Gianfranco Zola set to be appointed his assistant.

Sarri is central to Chelsea's 14th change of coach since Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003, although yet again there will be a costly severance payment to the outgoing coach.

Two months after guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title with a seven-point cushion in 2016-17, Conte signed an improved two-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Piotr Zielinski, Jorginho and Lorenzo Insigne have also flourished with Sarri at the helm.