---
title: "Flashback: Chelsea sack Antonio Conte"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/flashback-chelsea-sack-antonio-conte/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2019-05-15T19:30:20Z"
modified: "2019-05-15T19:30:20Z"
---

# Flashback: Chelsea sack Antonio Conte

**Even after winning the FA Cup, the 2017/18 season was still a very underwhelming one for Chelsea.**

The west London club did not even bother putting up a fight in the defence of their Premier League title, shamelessly finishing outside of the top four.

Someone had to pay for that, and some supporters were glad to see that it was Antonio Conte.

> You’ve made us wait a long time,
>
> But the suffering ends today!
>
> No more 30% possession football\
> No more “I’m not stupid to attack”\
> No more talking down our players\
> No more moaning about transfers after a £300m spend
>
> Come on Chelsea! [#OneClubOneLove](https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneLove?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/RePbCZMPnP](https://t.co/RePbCZMPnP)
>
> — Scouse Maradona Chelsea #8 (@dannydoes) [July 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/dannydoes/status/1017711052560224256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Long over due
>
> We wanted him out , a day after epl 2016/2017 ended
>
> — ray\_jhn (@ray\_jhn) [July 17, 2018](https://twitter.com/ray_jhn/status/1019059874708316160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Yes finally
>
> — Christo🐐 (@john\_shekara) [July 13, 2018](https://x.com/john_shekara/status/1017921008701976578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/dj\_themes/status/1017918065206546435

> Thanks God at last!!!!:-)
>
> — Ivan Jagerszky (@ivric967) [July 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/ivric967/status/1017894180234973185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I support this statement. Conte prematurely dismissing Costa via text cost us a top 4 finish. Were then forced to bring in two backup strikers which clearly didn’t work. I’m still puzzled why Conte did this. HUGE mistake. He had a stellar 1st season and grateful for that. [#Sarri](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sarri?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Captain Jonny (@CaptainJonny2) [July 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/CaptainJonny2/status/1017859215379951618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> This is the best News coming from Chelsea since 2012 when we won the Champions League
>
> — Enam Gideon (@iam\_jayrubal) [July 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/iam_jayrubal/status/1017850708723367936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Lets look at it this way, he booted out ur leading goal scorer who has presence and scores with his head and feet and brought in someone who scores with head alone. Now d consequences was finishing outside top. He has to take responsibility for it.
>
> — Duke of Ace (@ObiPartrick) [July 13, 2018](https://twitter.com/ObiPartrick/status/1017830402378158081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Italian was given the axe by Roman Abramovich and, while some may argue it was a harsh decision, you can understand the Russian’s thinking behind it.

Not only did Conte oversee Chelsea’s top-four collapse, but he also picked fights left, right and centre with his superiors along the way ([Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/926423/Chelsea-Antonio-Conte-Premier-League)).

The players, of course, also have to take much of the blame for that disastrous Premier League campaign. The Blues’ attackers, bar Eden Hazard, were particularly poor.

But ultimately, the buck stops with Conte, who spent the majority of the term fighting instead of managing.

Despite all of that, Conte’s time at Stamford Bridge will still go down as a success. In those two years at the club, amid all the chaos that comes with being Chelsea boss, he was able to guide his team to a Premier League title and an FA Cup.

But it could have been so much more if the former Juventus manager had not started a civil war in SW6.

***Chelsea fans, what were your thoughts when Conte departed? Join the discussion by commenting below.***