A couple of bookmakers have suspended bets on Antonio Conte to be the next Premier League manager sacked raising speculation of an abrupt end to his Chelsea reign
Various media outlets including The Sun have broken the story that, in a sensational turn of events, a couple of bookmakers have suspended betting on Antonio Conte as the next Premier League managed to be sacked. At least two bookmakers, in Paddy Power and Betway, have speculated with respect to the Italian’s future as Chelsea manager.
Antonio Conte took charge of Chelsea in the summer before the start of the current season and oversaw the Blues start on a positive note with three wins on the trot. The club, though, then lost back-to-back league matches to Liverpool and Arsenal respectively, which halted their progress from last season.
The Italian has seen his fair share of criticism in his short time as a Chelsea manager with fans calling out the manager for selecting the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill despite a string of poor performances. Conte, though, alleviated some of the criticism as he deployed a 3 man back-line and dropped Ivanovic to the bench against Hull City, wherein Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners.
The reports indicate that Paddy Power and Betway first slashed odds on Conte leaving the Blues hot seat before suspending the bets on the Italian altogether. The reason as to why they are making Conte the front-runner to face the axe in the Premier League is still unknown.
The rumours have also been greeted with much skepticism and outrage by Chelsea fans over Twitter, who took the Blues hierarchy apart upon the speculated story.
Flurry of bets is just that, a flurry of bets. Chelsea aren’t about to sack Antonio Conte https://t.co/8S9azK48ak
— Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) October 13, 2016
It’ll be unreal if Chelsea sacks Antonio Conte, a really dumb one since Carlo Ancelotti.
— Tony H. (@ManLikeWilsh) October 13, 2016
If we sack Antonio Conte, it’ll be more embarrassment..
Joke of a club..#CFC
— Josh Murphy (@BallerMurphs) October 13, 2016
Meanwhile, Daily Mail reporter, Sam Cunningham, provided update on the story via his twitter handle, stating that Conte is in no danger to be sacked as Chelsea manager.
I’m told Antonio Conte is not currently in danger of being sacked by Chelsea, despite some bookies suspending betting on it.
— Sam Cunningham (@samcunningham) October 13, 2016
The decision taken by Betway and Paddy Power has also affected other bookmakers with the likes of Betfair, Ladbrokes and William Hill, all slashing the odds on Conte to be the next Premier League manager sacked.
Also, as per the Sun report, a spokesperson for Paddy Power has stated the inevitable while saying that Diego Simeone, who has slashed his contract at Atletico Madrid, is the favourite to take over the reigns, with Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe the best-placed English contender.
