Conte axes Chelsea goalkeeping coach to persuade Courtois to stay

Posted Thursday, July 07, 2016 by squawka.com

Antonio Conte's first backroom change at Chelsea since taking over as manager is to remove Christophe Lollichon as goalkeeping coach after the Frenchman fell out with Thibaut Courtois.

Italy were knocked out of the European Championships last week to Germany on penalties, meaning Conte is now free to end his spell as manager of the national team and take over at Chelsea.

Earlier this year, Conte was hired as Jose Mourinho's replacement following Guus Hiddink's interim spell in charge.

Conte took a trip to the training ground to chat to some players, and a big decision was reportedly made then.

Following a conversation with Conte earlier this year, the Belgian goalkeeper Courtois made it clear that he had lost trust in Lollichon after blaming him for a knee injury.

Courtois said he was told to lift weights before a training session, which led to the injury, according to the Times, and Conte has brought Italy's goalkeeping coach, Gianluca Spinelli, in to replace Lollichon.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to be a big fan of Lollichon but Conte has had his say and brought in Spinelli to replace Lollichon, which is likely to improve the chances of Courtois staying at Stamford Bridge amid speculation he could leave.

Conte was reportedly determined to keep Courtois happy and was keen to keep him at Chelsea after reports linked him to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

The change in goalkeeping coach - despite Lollichon being at the club for nine years - could work.