Chelsea are not set to sack Antonio Conte after betting is suspended on manager's Stamford Bridge exit

Standard Sport13 October 2016

Chelsea are not set to sack Antonio Conte after just seven Premier League games in charge despite numerous reports that the manager will exit Stamford Bridge, Standard Sport understands.

Odds on Conte being the next Premier League manager to be sacked were slashed on Thursday afternoon, with Betway and Paddy Power both suspending betting on the Italian being axed by Roman Abramovich.

But Chelsea are not planning to relieve Conte of his duties, with the 47-year-old to continue as Stamford Bridge boss.

Conte signed a three-year deal with Chelsea this summer after departing as Italy's head coach following Euro 2016, bringing in Michy Batshuayi, N'Golo Kante and David Luiz in as big-money deals to bolster a squad which finished 10th last season.

Conte made a perfect start to life at Chelsea with three wins from his opening three league games, but defeats against Liverpool and then Arsenal have since put pressure on the coach to prove he can mount a credible title challenge after collecting 13 points from a possible 21.

Antonio Conte: Chelsea career in pictures

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The Blues announced on Thursday that they had signed a "long-term" deal with Nike starting from next season, in a partnership the sports brand describe as "the largest commercial deal in the club's history".

Nike confirmed the deal, which will see them supply Chelsea's kits from the 2017/18 season onward, on Thursday but did not confirm how long it will last. Standard Sport understands the deal will be worth about £60million per season to Chelsea.

Chelsea director, Marina Granovskaia, said: "This is an incredibly exciting and important deal for the club.

"Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what is sure to be a successful partnership."

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