IT HAS been a difficult season for Antonio Conte and one suspects, with the run of matches coming up that they have, Chelsea supporters will have to endure a little more pain before things start to improve.

The Chelsea manager was thought to be close to his way out of Stamford Bridge after a torrid January which followed a period of discontent after Conte’s plea for new players falling on deaf ears. 

Conte, however, refused any questions about his future before tonight’s FA Cup fifth round match against Hull City. It is expected that the former Italy boss will leave in the summer.