Antonio Conte: I am always one defeat away from possible Chelsea sacking

Simon Johnson16 September 2017

Antonio Conte admits he can't ever relax at Chelsea and think he is completely safe from the sack.

Conte has been at the helm for just 14 months, but is aware that his future at Stamford Bridge has been the subject of speculation on more than one occasion.

After defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal 12 months ago, a bookmaker suspended betting at one point that the Italian was going to be fired.

Conte, who went on to lead Chelsea to the Premier League trophy, was also the subject of much debate in the summer when the club struggled to buy players and then following their opening day loss to Burnley.

Chelsea have bounced back with four straight wins since but Conte is aware that he, like many managers in the sport, could always be one bad game away from being in trouble.

When asked if he no longer worried about being dismissed at Chelsea, he said: "Our job is difficult. Every day you have to think, you have to work very hard to try to have a good result. When the result is not good, anything can happen.

"We must be prepared for this. But for sure when you start a job with a new team you hope to stay for a long period.

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"I remember during the press conference [a year ago] a question about this betting company. Our job is this. We must be prepared to face this type of situation. We must live with this type of pressure.

"Don't forget it also happened this season before the win against Tottenham. Yes, I think every coach must be used to hearing these voices. I think it's normal.

"But I think that every coach has to be focused on the work, continue to work every day. Only through work can you improve your team and stay in one team for many years.

"When you go in your house and you know you have given 120 per cent, I think I am happy."