Chelsea reportedly felt they had no choice but to sack Antonio Conte if they were to stand any chance of preventing Eden Hazard from sealing a transfer away.
The Belgium international’s future is up in the air at the moment after a difficult season at Stamford Bridge last term, in which the Blues missed out on Champions League football by only finishing 5th in the table.
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Hazard will no doubt feel he could do better, and seemed to struggle at points under Conte’s tactics, particularly as he barely touched the ball in a defeat to Manchester City back in March.
Hazard has since been linked strongly with Real Madrid by the Daily Mail, and with Barcelona by Catalan publication Sport.
This is undoubtedly a big worry for CFC, and the Telegraph reports that the club feel sacking Conte may have been necessary to give them any hope of persuading Hazard to stay.
The 27-year-old is a vital part of this Chelsea squad, and may feel more at home in the expansive style of play of Maurizio Sarri, who looks set to replace Conte at the Bridge.
The Telegraph claim the west Londoners are putting the finishing touches on appointing Sarri despite delays over sacking Conte.