Betting suspended on Conte to leave Chelsea before season ends

Is Blues boss heading for the exit?

Chelsea endured another miserable night on Monday, falling to a 4-1 defeat at Watford. And with pressure further mounting on boss Antonio Conte, Coral have suspended betting on the Italian leaving the club before the season ends.

The former Juventus gaffer was 1/4 to depart Stamford Bridge this season, but following a flurry of bets, the bookies have pulled the plug on this market.

Coral’s John Hill said: “The size and intensity of this gamble in the last few hours suggests it is only a matter of time before the club parts company with Antonio Conte therefore we have pulled the plug on this market to allow the dust to settle.”

The market has already opened on the next Blues boss, and the current favourite is Luis Enrique at 2/1.

Carlo Ancelotti led Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double in 2009-10, and is 3/1 to return as boss.

Another former Blues gaffer, Guus Hiddink, is available at 4/1. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone and Thomas Tuchel are 7/1 apiece.

Hill added: “There is no shortage of big names at the top of the next Chelsea manager betting with former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique topping the list ahead of two men who know the club very well in Carlo Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink.”

** Next Chelsea manager

2/1 Luis Enrique, 3/1 Carlo Ancelotti, 4/1 Guus Hiddink, 7/1 Diego Simeone, 7/1 Thomas Tuchel, 20/1 Roberto Mancini, 20/1 Claudio Ranieri, 33/1 bar