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Chelsea hopes of appointing Luis Enrique as Antonio Conte’s successor face major obstacle

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Chelsea hopes of appointing dream Conte successor face major obstacle — Will Enrique join Chelsea? (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea’s hopes of appointing Luis Enrique to replace Antonio Conte as their manager face a major obstacle, with the two parties some way apart on wage demands.

The Blues will need the former Barcelona boss to take a major pay cut from his time at the Nou Camp, where he earned a cool £16.5million-a-year, with Conte only picking up £9.5m-a-year at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea chiefs are reluctant to offer a new manager more than they pay Conte – the highest paid boss in the club’s history – without them first proving themselves in the Premier League.

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Enrique is keen on reigniting his managerial career in English football and would welcome a move to Chelsea, but his wage demands may well prove to be a stumbling block, according to The Telegraph.

Either the former Roma boss – who earned more in Barcelona than Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola pick up in Manchester – will have to settle for less money or the two parties will have to come to a compromise.

Should a compromise fail to be reached, the door will be opened to fellow shortlisted targets Thomas Tuchel and Maurizio Sarri – both of whom are far cheaper options.

Conte, meanwhile, is a target for the Italian national team, with former Premier League trio Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri also being considered.