Chelsea can get rid of manager Maurizio Sarri for £5million – which would be the cheapest pay-off during the Roman Abramovich era.
The Italian is dangerously close to the sack following a run of dreadful results, including a convincing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Monday night which saw the Blues eliminated from the FA Cup.
Abramovich is not known for his patience and, over the course of his 16-year ownership, the Russian has forked out almost £90million to dismiss managers.
However, according to The Sun, Sarri could be axed for significantly less than the previous nine Chelsea bosses since 2003.
The newspaper reports that while the 60-year-old has a contract until 2021, Chelsea’s policy means he would walk away with just one year’s salary.
Claudio Ranieri (June 2004) – £6million
Jose Mourinho (September 2007) – £18million
Avram Grant (May 2008) – £5.5million
Luiz Felipe Scolari (February 2009) – £12.6million
Carlo Ancelotti (May 2011) – £6million
Andre Villas-Boas (March 2012) – £12million
Roberto Di Matteo (November 2012) – £10.7million
Jose Mourinho (November 2015) – £9.5million
Antonio Conte (July 2018) – £9million
Total – £89.3million
His severance package would see him take home £5million, while his backroom staff would receive £1million compensation.
Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2007, on the other hand, cost the club a whopping £18million.
Chelsea have already started considering alternative managerial options, and reports claim Sarri will be sacked unless he wins the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.
Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has emerged as one of the favourites to take over at Stamford Bridge, while club legend and current Derby manager Frank Lampard is also thought to be a potential candidate for the role.