Why has Zinedine Zidane quit Real Madrid? Real reason behind shock exit revealed

According to Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, there are issues in theReal Madridcamp that Zidane now no longer wants to deal with.Moments after Zidane shocked the world by announcing he is leaving, just days after his third Champions League win, Balague revealed:

 “He feels the players are not listening to him, he’s not that important. It feels like that’s what he’s trying to say.“He feels someone else has to come in and deal with it. He feels the dynamics have changed to a point.

“He’s taken the team to nine out of 13 titles -what else does he have to do at Real Madrid?“It’s not so much they cannot be managed, to just manage the situations that are coming up, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, he does not want it.

“The players were told in a message today. He’s only spoken to Sergio Ramos and intends to speak to other captains in the next few hours.“He felt he had talk to one of the leaders in the club and that was Sergio Ramos.

”Zidane is leaving the European champions after winning an unprecedented third straight Champions League title, he told a news conference at midday."I think it's the moment, both for me, the team and the club (to step down). It's a strange moment to do so, I know, but an important one too. I had to do this for everyone," he said.

"This side should carry on winning and needs a change for this. After three years it needs another voice, another method of work, for this I took this decision."

Zidane became the first coach to win a thirdstraight European Cup when Real beat Liverpool 3-1 on Saturday, capping a remarkable period in his first job in seniorclub management.

"I love this club a lot, the president, who gave me everything - to play first at this great club. I'll always be thankful. Today I need to change, for me, for everyone, for this I've taken the decision," Zidane added.

Balague now thinks Zidane could be in line to become the next manager of France.He added: “I don’t think he will retire as a manager. He has the idea of being national team coach of France and I’m sure that will happen.

“If things don’t work in a direction he wants, he senses that he’s not tired of a manager. He senses players need something new, a new voice.“They have won a lot, someone else has to lead them now.”

The Frenchman took over a divided dressing room after the sacking of Rafael Benitez in January, 2016 and immediately set about uniting the squad.He claimed the first of his hat-trick of European triumphs two years ago when Real defeated local rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in the final.

A year later he led Real to their first European Cup and La Ligadouble in 59 years.Real finished three points ahead of Barcelona as they won their first league title since 2012 before crushing Juventus 4-1in the Champions League final to become the first side to win the competition in its current format in back-to-back seasons.

Zidane won nine major honours as Real coach and the 45-year-old's crowning glorycame last Saturday as he joined an elite group of managers including Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti by lifting the European Cup for the third time as coach.

Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho wants to stay at Old Trafford for longest unbroken spell

And nowManchester Unitedboss Mourinhohas revealed that, at a youthful 55, he could also carry on managing until he’s drawing his old-age pension.Mourinho is at the Theatre of Dreams for the foreseeable future, happy to go beyond the three years and three months in his first stint at Chelsea.Asked if he could stay at Old Trafford for his longest unbroken spell, he said: “I think so.

To be honest at other clubs I had the feeling of already thinking about ‘What next?’. I had things I had to do. I had to go toItaly for sure. I had to go to Spain for sure.“At this moment, there isn’t anything around the corner.

I don’t want to do anything different to what I am doing now.”So could Mourinho carry on in the toughest job in football until the ripe old age of his rival Wenger?

“For sure,” Mourinho said with a smile. “I will have to change clubs, though, because you don’t allow me to stay here.“I think until the point you lose your motivation you keep improving. But I can’t see myself doing 22 years at one club because you don’t allow it.

“It’s too much pressure – not just for the manager but for the club, especially without any kind of success. To have four or five years to get a trophy and change theteam, I don’t think you allow that any more.

 Am I a better manager now than 10 years ago? Yes, in every way. I am the same, nothing has changed. My passion for the job is the same and my sense of responsibility, emotional control is better.

“Obviously I am much more mature. At every level, training, matches, relations withthe players, it feels like everything is déjà vu.“It is very difficult now that there is something in my professional life I am surprised with or I don’t know how to react. I have had it before.“So yes, it is a job where the more experience you have the better you are.

You just have to keep this motivational level. I believe that one day a manager can say it is enough. They don’t want more.“Until a manager decides that, I think you get better and better.”

So Mourinho will witness the end of an era with Wenger riding off into the sunset, probably to another club on the European circuit. So how should Wenger be remembered?Mourinho added: “First of all, I don’t think he is dead. And I don’t think he ends his career. Until I have different information, heis only going to end his career as Arsenal manager.

“I am going to remember him as a big opponent. As the manager of The Invincibles. The Invincibles I met when I arrived in the country in 2004. The Invincibles who made me a better coach.“That’s the way I’d remember him.”

Europa League trophy stolen and recovered in Mexico

Mexican authorities confirm that the Europa League trophy was stolen after being displayed at a publicity event in Mexico, only to be recovered a few hours later in the state of Guanajuato.

The trophy had been on display at the football stadium in the city of Leon on Friday night, only to be taken from a car after the event.“We recovered the Cup after receiving information that it had been stolen from the car transporting it,”said a post on the Twitter account of the Guanajuato public prosecutor, alongside a picture of the trophy in a case.

No other information was given about who took the trophy, whereit was found or whether any perpetrators had been identified. The event had been organised by one of European football governing body UEFA’s sponsors.

Playing for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger was one of the best period of my career'- Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu pays tribute to Wenger as he quits the club after 22 years

Former Super Eagles captain andArsenallegend, NwankwoKanu has paid a tribute to his former coachArsene Wenger who is living the club after 22 years.

The 68-year-old Frenchman, who joined Arsenal from Nagoya Grampus Eightin 1996 shocked the football world when he announced in a statement on Friday that he will step down at the end of the season after 22 years.

Kanu, 41, who joined Arsenal in a £4.15 million deal fromInter Milanin 1999, took his Instagram account to pay tribute to Wenger.Sharing a photo with Wenger, as they pose together with his no.25 jersey on the day he was signed, the former Super Eagles captain wrote:

'Big shoes for anyone to fill, playing for Arsenal under Arsene was one of the best period of my career, 2 premiership, 2 FAcups, The invincibles, playing with some of the best assembled players, influencing millions of fansin Africa to support this great club are some of the memories that come to fore today but above all the privilege to have played for a gentleman like Wenger is most cherished.? ? ? ? ' 

Arsene Wenger: Sir Alex Ferguson reveals why he is 'pleased' by Arsenal exit announcement

enger broke the news on Friday morning as the Gunners gear up for this weekend’s showdown with London rivals West Ham atthe Emirates.Arsenal are set to miss out on Champions League qualification for the second successive campaign regardless of their result against the Hammers but silverware is still in their sights.

Europa League glory would represent the 11th major honour of Wenger’s spell in north London, a portion of which was spentbattling Ferguson.Former Manchester United boss Ferguson has now explained why he is pleased by the timing of his old adversary announcing his departure.

"I am really happy forArsene Wenger," Ferguson told United’s official website."I have great respect for him and for the job he has done at Arsenal."It is great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that he has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to a job that he loves.

"In an era where football managers sometimes only last one or two seasons, it shows what an achievement it is to serve that length of time at a club the size of Arsenal.

"I am pleased that he has announced he is leaving at this stage of the season, as he cannow have the send-off that he truly deserves.

"He is, without doubt, one of the greatest Premier League managers and I am proud to have been a rival, a colleague and a friend to such a great man.

"Arsenal follow up Sunday’s encounter with West Ham with Premier League fixtures against United, Burnley, Leicester and Huddersfield.

Current United boss Jose Mourinho paid tribute to Wenger this morning, suggesting his hostile relationship with the Arsenal manager was artificial.

"It’s not about regretting, I think your question is a typical question from somebody that was not in this side, you were not a manager, a player, of course you don’t know the way we respect each other even when sometimes it doesn’t look like we don’t, players that get yellow cards and red cards by aggression actions against each other, bad words during the career, the manager is the same thing but the ones that respect more each other are the ones with the problems," he said.

"It’s power and ambition and quality againsteach other but in the end it’s people from the same business and respect each others’careers, so it happened, what matters for me is the way I respect the person, the professional, the career and I always say that for some the memories short, but for us football people, the real football people, who are the ones inside the four lines, playing, or the managers, or the refs, the others live on us, the football people doesn’t have short memory.

I know what it means, three PL titles and seven FA Cups, what he did in Japan and France, what he brought to French football and what he gave to Arsenal in the period without Premier League, the transition from stadium to stadium, we know what he did.

"If he’s happy with the decision, I’m really happy and I hope he doesn’t retire from football."Arsenal are set to take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid over two legs for a place inMay’s Europa League final.Marseille and Red Bull Salzburg will contest the other semi-final tie as they lookto secure their spot at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Champions League draw: Liverpool to take on Roma, Real Madrid draw Bayern Munich

FULL DRAW:

Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

Liverpool vs Roma

So, there we have it. Bayern will first welcome Madrid to Germany, while Liverpool host Roma a day later.The first legs will be played on April 24 and 25.The return fixtures will take place on May 1and 2.

Anthony Joshua BEATS Joseph Parker to add third title with unanimous points decision

For the first time in his professional career, Joshua was taken to the judges' scorecards and in truth 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 looked a little kindly on his performance.And it was unlikely to send a strong message across the Atlantic to Deontay Wilder.

But if his boxing didn't, his voice most certainly did.“Just like Dillian said: Wilder let’s go baby. Let’s go!” Joshua told the 78,000 people in the Principality Stadium.

Joshua fighting has become a global event, and that was no clearer than when four separate flags could be seen around the ring. Joshua flew his green-and-white Nigerian colours as well as those of the United Kingdom while Parker had both the New Zealand flag and the Samoan one.

Both men are fiercely proud of their familial heritage as well as the countries of their birth: Joshua bears a tattoo of Africa on his right shoulder while Parker was led out by his two uncles in traditional Samoan dress.

That the Welsh crowd seemed to tolerate, but the two national anthems wore on the patience of a crowd who had been riled up by a spectacular knockout of David Price, who himself had knocked down Alexander Povetkin before the WBA’s No 1 challenger showed his true class in the fifth round.

But once the anthems had finally ended, there were just three men in the ring and it was a predictably cagey start with Joshua looking the work the body and Parker trying to stay out of trouble.

When the Kiwi did get trapped on the ropes,Joshua looked to let fly with combinations while Parker’s escape route was to charge at him. It appeared effective although he was caught by some first upper-cuts in the third round while trying to get out of the neutral corner.

Joshua repeatedly looked to his favoured overhand right in the opening rounds for the big shots, especially as a counter-punch, but Parker’s speed was evident in his evasion.

The cagey nature of the fight continued, aided by referee Giuseppe Quartarone keenness to jump in and call break at the slightest hint of a clinch. Joshua fell foul of that in the seventh round, attempting the land his famous uppercut after the referee’s instruction, which triggered trainer Kevin Barry almost to climb the ropes and take matters into his own hands.

It was Rob McCracken who was fuming a round later though when Quartarone brokea seemingly legal exchange, the type that Joshua would have relished. It led to a farcical moment in the ninth that left both boxers looking to the referee expecting another premature break, only for him to raise his arms as if yo say “what do you want me to do?”.

The Italian seemed to recognise his own mistake and allowed them to work more extensively on the inside and Joshua started to favour the upper-cut more and more, although it was the jab that opened up a small cut on his right eye.

In the closing rounds, neither fighter seemed to fade. It seemed unfair that Joshua won by such a wide margin on the cards, but he had done enough with his jab to win the fight.

Mohamed Salah is on the verge of greatness: Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard makes huge claim

Salah scored four in Liverpool’s comprehensive 5-0 win over Watford this evening.That took his tally in all competitions for the Reds to 36, the most ever in a debut campaign for the Anfield side - overtaking Fernando Torres’ 33.

He is also now four clear of Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.Gerrard says Salah must lead Liverpoolto silverware during his time at the club.

But he admits he deserves every bit of praise he is currently receiving.“It’s difficult to find new words,” Gerrard said following today's game on BT Sport.

“Everyone’s raving about him at the moment and rightly so.“I think we’re witnessing the start of greatness.

“If he’s around for long enough he’s well capable of going on to achieve whatever he wants, whatever he wants to be as a footballer.

“Yeah of course he will get judged on the long term or delivering trophies and stuff and so will the rest of the team.“But his performance this season in a debutseason has been magnificent.”

Stunned Antonio Conte lauds Lionel Messi after Barcelona dump Chelsea out of Europe

Lionel Messi scored either side of half time - both goals going through Thibaut Courtois’ legs - asBarcelona beat Chelsea 3-0 on the night.

He also bagged the away goal last month at Stamford Bridge that had earned Barca the edge heading into Wednesday’s clash.

And Blues manager Conte conceded the Argentina superstar was head above the rest in London and Catalonia.

"Tonight in the two legs, Lionel Messi made the difference,” Conte said.

“We are talking about the best player in the world. Over the two legs we were a bit unlucky.

Chelsea had chances to score themselves but came up against a doggedBarcelonadefence, while the visitors were themselvesoutdone by mistakes at the back.

Ousmane Dembele scored their second - his first goal since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in a £135m deal last summer.

They were very clinical. We created many chances,” Conte said.“We are talking about a player (Messi) that every season he scores 60 goals. We are talking not about a top player but a super top player. He made the difference.

"We have no regrets. I must be pleased for the commitment.“They gave everything tonight. We didn't deserve to lose 3-0.”

Chelseafelt they should have had a penalty in the second half when Marco Alonso was brought down in the box, only for the referee to wave away their appeals.

Conte said of the incident: “During the game, from the bench and for me it was a clear penalty on Marcos Alonso.

“We have to go and move on and to preparefor the game against Leicester (in the FA Cup) on Sunday.”Meanwhile, Courtois conceded he should have done better with the two Messi goals.

“I’ve played against Messi a lot of times,” hesaid.“I have already conceded goals like that before. The weakest point is between the legs for a goalkeeper.

“It is annoying, I cannot hide inside, I have to be a man and come out.“I made some good saves too but we go outwith conceding four goals from four mistakes.”

Jose Mourinho defends his Manchester United players after Sevilla humiliation

Despite being heavy favourites at the start of the tie, United failed to perform across the 90 mins and were stunned by their Spanish opponents.

Wissam Ben Yedder came off the bench in the second half and scored twice to silence Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku scored late on to give United hope but it wasn't enough as theylimped out 2-1 on aggregate.

Fans streamed out of the stadium before full time, with players taking plenty of flackon social media for the performance.But Mourinho refused to be critical of his players and said they did what they could to win.

Mourinho said: "We had good periods, we didn't have great control over the game, butI can't say there was anything wrong with my players and their intention to play.

"That's football, we lost, but tomorrow is another day and Saturday is another match

."I'm pleased the players aren't hiding their sadness, but we have no time for drama."

Mourinho’s side now have only one realistic chance of winning silverware this season.

They are effectively out of the title race but face Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Reflecting on the Champions League defeat,which saw United record just four shots ontarget over the two legs, Mourinho admitted his game plan didn’t pay off.

"I think the first goal was always going to be important, not just because of the first leg result but also the profile of the match,”Jose Mourinho said.

"We tried to be aggressive and intense fromthe first minute. We didn't score and Sevilla progressively kept the ball, and they controlled the game well.

"We had good chances to score, but they scored one goal and from that moment everything became much more emotional. The second goal made it impossible.”

Photos: Football chairman confronts referee on the pitch with a gun in his belt, tells him 'You're finished'

A football chairman lost his cool and confronted a referee on the football pitch with a gun in his belt.

The ugly display occurred duringSunday's Super League game between title rivals PAOK and AEKAthens which ended in chaos as a pitch invasion followed a disallowed goal.

Ivan Savvidis, the chairman of Greek club PAOK also took to thepitch with a Gun in his waistband to confront the referee after Fernando Varelalate goal for PAOK was ruled as offside.

The chairman reportedly told the referee: 'You're finished.'Rival, AEK's Spanish coach Manolo Jimenez saw the firearm and claims to have heard Savvid is threatening the referee verbally.

'We didn't know if he had a gun, then we saw it,'Jimenez told CadenaSER. 'It could be seen that he was moving his hand towards his waist because he had a gun.'Jimenez added: 'He threatened the referee right in front of me.

According to my interpreter, he told him: 'You're finished as a referee'.'I'm stunned; I don't understand it.

It's the type of thing you expect tosee in aClint Eastwoodmovie.' AEK will file a complaint with FIFA and UEFA. Meanwhile, PAOK said in a statement said: 'After what happened today, PAOK chairman Ivan Savvidis is preparing all necessary procedures to protect the team and all his collaborators from the threats and attacks they have been subjected to.

'There will be relevant announcements on the issue soon.'

Lionel Messi's wife shares photo with her newborn son& family

Barcelona superstar,Lionel Messi and his wife,Antonella Roccuzzo welcomed their third son Ciroon Saturday.

His wife took to Instagram to share this photo of herself cradling her newborn child at the hospital alongside her husband Lionel and two sons, Thiago and Mateo Messi.

Nigerian Bobsled queens return to Lagos afterOlympic debut

The history-making Nigerian Bobsled Team to the Winter Olympics were treated to a rousing welcome at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport(MMIA), Ikeja Lagos.

The Nigerian team to Pyeonchang, South Korea was ledby Bobsled Driver, Seun Adigun comprising Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Simi Adeagbo.

They were treated to a hero’s welcome at the airport by a reception party put together by the Temple Management Company (TMC), the market.Nigerian Bobsled queens return to Lagos after Olympic debut' agency of the

Bobsled & Skeleton Federation ofNigeria (BSFN).

Among diginatries that came to receive them were TMC talents including Bisola Aiyeola, Tee-Y Mix and Jeff Akoh.

Neymar pictured in wheelchair after touching down in Brazil as PSG star prepares to undergo foot surgery... and is in race to be fit for World Cup

A wheelchair-bound Neymar touched down in Brazil on Thursday for surgery on his brokenfoot — with the Paris Saint-Germain star facing a race to be fit for the World Cup this summer.

The Brazilian required help from an airport assistant upon landing in Rio de Janeiro, and was seen with his right ankle strapped while being pushed through the terminal.

Neymar will soon travel to Belo Horizonte, where he will have surgery on the injury — which he sustained last weekend — this Saturday.

He fractured a metatarsal and sprained his ankle during Sunday's 3-0 win over Marseille. PSG were initially confident it wasn't serious but their star man is now likely to miss the rest of the season — and could be out of the World Cup in Russia.

According to Brazil's team doctor, the 26-year-old is expected to be out of action for up to three months after he undergoes surgery on his broken metatarsal.

Rodrigo Lasmar, quoted on the website of Brazilian newspaper O Globo, said the world'smost expensive footballer was resigned to the lengthy lay-off.

Lasmar said: 'Neymar suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal, it is an important fracture in a foot bone. The operation will be in Belo Horizonte on Saturday morning, and the recovery takes from two and a half months tothree months.

'Neymar is sad, but understands that he has noalternative now. He will devote himself to being well as soon as possible. We will do ourbest to get him ready as soon as possible.'

The lay-off means Neymar may miss the rest of the season with PSG, returning to fitness just weeks before Brazil's World Cup campaign.

Neymar left the field in tears and, after consultation with Brazilian national team bosses, it has now been confirmed that he must go under the knife.

Arsene Wenger cuts lonely figure as Arsenal fans shun Man City horror show at Emirates

Pep Guardiola’s side piled even more misery onArsenalhaving beaten them in the Carabao Cup final just a few days ago.

Goals from Bernardo Silva, David Silva and Leroy Sane in the first half handed the Blues all three points but the story was all about Arsenal for all the wrong reasons.

Fans avoided the game with hundreds of empty seats in the stands and it was hard to argue against them.

The Arsenal players were found wanting against the best Premier League team this season and looked out of their depth at times.

“Yes of course [I have confidence in myself],” he said.

“The confidence comes from the fact I havedone it before.

"And the Gunners boss has called on his players to stick together to help pull through.

“We focus on the performances and when the pressure is on like, usually strong organisations unite," he added.

“You have to stay together and focus more than ever.

“You think you want people to be euphoric when you are 3-0 down? Certainly not.

”Pep Guardiola offered some kind words for Wenger in his post-match duties, suggesting the Frenchman has Arsenal’s best interests at heart.

Man Utd news: Paul Pogba threatens to QUIT unless Jose Mourinho does one thing

Tensions have been growing in recent weeks between Pogba and Mourinho with the midfielder seemingly being singled out by the United boss.

The France international has been named on the bench in recent games against Huddersfield and Sevilla.

Many have claimed it was Pogba’s performance in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenhamlast month that has led to Mourinho taking a strong stance by dropping him.

Reports have suggested the two have come to blows at the training ground with Pogba keen to understand where he stands while his agent Mino Raiola is also reportedly causing problems with United’s hierarchy.

And the Sun on Sundaynow claim the 24-year-old is willing to quit Old Trafford with Raiola already in contact with Real regarding a potential move.

A source told The Sun: “Things are at an all-time low between them.

“Paul has made it clear he doesn’t want to be there if Mourinho is.”

Finally, Lionel Messi scores against Chelsea for the first time in his career

Until last night, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi had not scored in his career against Chelsea but finally broke the jinx with at Stamford bridge with his goal in a Champions League match.

It took him nine games, but LionelMessi has finally broken through against Chelsea finding the net in the 75th minute to level the Champions League match 1-1 at Stamford Bridge and cancel out Willian's earlier strike.

The game ultimately finished 1-1, with Barcelona having the opportunity to take advantage in the second leg at the Camp Nou on March 14. Chelsea had been one of the 12 teams that the Barcelona star had faced in his career without scoring against, and one of two remaining in the current Champions League.

The equalizer was Messi's 18th goal against English opposition inthe Champions League, by far the most of any player. Rival Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 11. The goal also means Messi hasnow scored in 61 of his 122 careerChampions League contests.

Brazilian derby clash abandoned after footballers received 10 red cards and eight yellows for throwing punches in mass brawl (Photos)

A derby match between Brazilian clubs Vitoria and Bahia was abandoned on Sunday after a mass brawl forced the referee to end the Bahia state championship clash.

The referee gave eight yellow in the fierce match which also followed with 10 red cards.

• Read Mail Online Sport report below.
• 
  
• A Brazilian derby match between Vitoria and Bahia was abandoned with 11 minutes remaining on Sunday after the hosts had six men sent off in a game marked by a mass punch-up between players from both sides.
• 
  
• 
  
• The score in the Bahia state championship clash was 1-1 when Bruno Bispo became the ninth player, and the fifth from Vitoria, to be shown the red card.With teams requiring a minimum of seven players, the referee was forced to end the game.
• 
  
• Denilson opened the scoring for Vitoria after 33 minutes but Vinicius levelled with a penalty four minutes into the second half.
• 
  
• 
  
• He celebrated with a provocative dance in front of the Vitoria supporters, which led to fury from the home players.
• 
  
• Punches were thrown from both sides and five men were sent off, three from Bahia and two from Vitoria.
• 
  
• 
  
• Two more players, one from each side, were sent off a couple of minutes later, as tempers frayed and trouble spread to the terraces.With 13 minutes left a fourth Vitoria player was sent off, prompting Bispo to kick the ball away and force the referee into awarding him his second yellow and a match-ending red.
• 
  
• Brazil's sporting court will now decide what action to take over the indiscipline and the result.

Mauricio Pochettino praises maturing Spurs after Juventus comeback in Champions Leagu

Tottenham were 2-0 down with just 10 minutes on the clock after Gonzalo Higuain's quick-fire brace.

But Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen salvaged a draw, giving Spurs hope of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.

Tottenham have beaten Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks, and also scraped a credible draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

And Pochettino thinks his side's draw with Juventus is more proof the players are maturing.

“Fantastic game. We were sloppy and conceded two goals in nine minutes, but the character we showed was fantastic," he said.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte puts talk over his future to one side after win over West Brom: 'Fans understand my passion to defend this badge'

Eden Hazardeased the pressure on under-pressure manager Antonio Cont ewith a deadly double to shoot Chelsea back into the top four.

Conte's job would have been in serious jeopardy if Chelsea had lost against rock-bottomWest Brom, but Hazard's brilliant brace and Victor Moses' strike ensured the Blues returned to winning ways after two consecutive Premier League defeats.

Conte put talk of his job security to one side after Monday night's win saying: 'We are getting used with the speculation.

My players know very well what our work is and what we have to do. For sure we are going to try to fight against this speculation.

'There is only one way, to win and play good football. I think until the end we continue to live with this speculation.

For me it is not important.'Chelsea fans made their feelings crystal clear on Monday, singing Conte's name on several occasions - a clear indication that they'd prefer him to stay.

'For sure I have to thank the fans,' he said. 'They showed me great support because I think they are reading speculation and rumours about me.'It means that, maybe in our 18 months together, they understand my passion and my will to defend these colours, this shirt, this badge.