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Chelsea news: Thibaut Courtois reveals board talks over Blues managerial chaos
THIBAUT COURTOIS has revealed the Chelsea players were told Antonio Conte would be sacked this summer.
Chelsea axed Conte on Friday before appointing Maurizio Sarri yesterday.
Italian Conte oversaw two successful years at Chelsea where they won the Premier League and FA Cup.
But disagreements with the board over transfers irked the boss last year and it became evident as the season went on that he would likely leave this summer.
Conte is now chasing his £9m pay-out for being dismissed before the end of his contract, while Sarri gets to work on pre-season.
And Courtois has conceded the Chelsea players were well aware of what the board’s intention was.
I don’t think it’s easy for a new manager to come in and shape us in a few weeks
“It’s hard to talk about it because I don’t know exactly what happened,” Courtois said.
“But the decision that was made a few days ago, I think as a group we expected that to happen a long time ago because we heard what the board said to us after the season ended and then it takes until now.”
Sarri, 59, is tasked with rejuvenating a squad that finished fifth in the Premier League last season.
A number of top stars, including Eden Hazard, Willian and even Courtois himself, are tipped to depart.
Sarri secured his first signing of the summer on Saturday with the £57m arrival of Jorginho from Napoli.
And Courtois admits the new manager has a tough task on his hands preparing the squad for the new season, which kicks off on August 11.
“I don’t think it’s easy for a new manager to come in and shape us in a few weeks,” he conceded.
“I think fans need to understand we will need some time to adapt to the new manager and a different style.”