Antonio Conte 'to remain Chelsea manager after Watford defeat'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 February 2018

Chelsea reportedly decide to keep faith with underfire manager Antonio Conte, despite back-to-back three-goal defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Watford.

Chelsea have reportedly decided to keep faith with underfire manager Antonio Conte despite the club's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Watford on Monday night.

The Premier League champions have now fallen to successive three-goal defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Watford, leaving them with only two victories inside normal time from their last 10 matches across all competitions.

Speculation has been rife that Roman Abramovich and club's board could part company with the Italian, less than nine months after he guided them to the title.

However, BBC Sport reports that they have decided against sacking Conte in the wake of their defeat at Vicarage Road due to the club still being in the top four, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is understood to be the frontrunner to replace Conte, but Chelsea are willing to wait until at least next Monday night - when they take on West Bromwich Albion - to make a final decision.

Chelsea are 19 points adrift of leaders Manchester City and only one point clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.