Conte’s exit from Chelsea has looked likely for about a year, since he signed a new deal without an extension. It’s looked almost certain for about 6 months, since his demeanour and statements in press conferences began to lose any shade of subtlety. Now with the final game of the season out of the way, the world is just waiting for that confirmation that the Conte era is over.
An official club statement will pop up on Twitter any day now, thanking Conte for his success and wishing him well. There are rumours in the media today that the Chelsea board are having the fatal meeting to conclude things right now.
For all parties, sorting this out sooner rather than later is preferable. The managerial transfer market is in full flow right now, and Conte’s options are shrinking just as fast as Chelsea’s list of potential replacements.
The standoff about money can be bridged with a compromise, and both club and manager can get the next stage underway.
Until then, we are stuck in this damaging limbo.
