Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is one match from the sack, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim that the Italian could be dismissed if the west Londoners lose at home to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
The Times report that there are “fears within Stamford Bridge” that Russian owner Roman Abramovich could end Conte’s reign if manager Jose Mourinho inflicts an “embarrassing” loss on his former club.
Conte, who only arrived at the club 16 months ago, steered Chelsea to the Premier League title in a glorious debut campaign after taking over a side that had finished ninth the previous season.
But the team have struggled to make an early impression in the title race and are nine points adrift of pacesetters Manchester City, which could be extended to 12 by Sunday night.
The Times claim that Conte has lost a lot of goodwill from his employers after making extravagant demands in terms of transfers and the make-up of his coaching staff, while also alienating key executives Marina Granovskaia and Michael Emenalo.
OPINION
Chelsea fans are well used to Abramovich pulling the trigger on the men who patrol the dugout, but were Conte to be dismissed, it would rank as the most unpopular dismissal since the end of Jose Mourinho’s first spell at the club. The Italian is revered among the Stamford Bridge faithful for winning the title at a canter in his sensational debut season, with his passion, energy and commitment proving infectious. Ructions behind the scenes will matter little to fans, who care only about what happens on the pitch. The team are fourth in a highly competitive league and are well placed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. It would not go down well if Conte was given the boot over the international break.