Jamie Carragher: I'd be very surprised if Antonio Conte is still Chelsea manager in 12 months

Updated 08/08/2017 at 08:47 GMT

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said he would be 'very surprised' if Antonio Conte is still the manager of Chelsea in a year.

Antonio Conte, manager of Chelsea, talks during a Chelsea Press Conference at Chelsea Training Ground on August 4, 2017 in London, England.

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Conte joined Chelsea last summer after leaving his role with the Italian national team and in his first season with the club he led them to the Premier League title.

However, there have been reports of discontent from the Italian over transfers as well as links with a return to Italy.

And after their defeat on penalties in the Community Shield, Carragher said he thinks it is unlikely that Conte will still be in charge next year.

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Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during the The FA Community Shield final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, England.

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"I'd be very surprised if I'm sitting here in 12 months' time and he's the Chelsea manager," Carragher said on Sky Sports.

"I think he's the type of manager who won't accept the involvement from people above, especially on the back of winning the title.

"He's not going to go quietly and it's not great for the club when the manager is coming out and speaking the way he is."

Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures on the sideline during the FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in north London on August 6, 2017

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Carragher compared the Blues to Real Madrid saying that they are never afraid to get rid of managers, highlighted by the fact that under owner Roman Abramovich they have had nine different managers (including Jose Mourinho twice) as well as Guus Hiddink as interim on two occasions.

"What I would say is Chelsea have a business model, a very ruthless one. They're a bit like Real Madrid in that I don't think they value the manager like other clubs do.

"They're not scared to get rid of a top manager or get rid of someone after 12 months, but you can't really complain. Since Abramovich came in I think they've won more trophies than anyone.

"They have a model where they have a big say over how that club is run; the owner, [Michael] Emenalo and people involved there.

"Maybe that is a frustration for Conte. He wants more players coming in."

Carragher also touched upon the decision to sell Nemanja Matic as an example of the difference between Conte and the board.

Nemanja Matic of Manchester United during the International Champions Cup match between Manchester United and Sampdoria

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"The Matic deal is a perfect example.

"If you're a manager why would you want to let him go – especially to a rival?

"But they'll be saying '£45m for a 29-year-old and we've got a replacement who is 22'. We don't know how good [Bakayoko] is going to be, but that has been their business model going forward.

"The success they've had in changing manager means they're not going to take anything like that off Conte.

"They got rid of Mourinho, they got rid of Ancelotti and I would be very surprised if he's here in 12 months."

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