CHELSEA have splashed the cash on plenty of super-star signings in recent years.
But a fair chunk of their spending has had to go on departing managers.
In fact, FOUR of the top ten managerial severance packages ever paid out are former Blues bosses.
However, a couple of Spurs managers are also in there - including the incredible £14million Nuno Espirito Santo pocketed in 2021.
Daniel Levy pulled the trigger despite a clause reportedly allowing him to fire the Portuguese ex-Wolves boss for free in summer 2022 if they finished outside the top six.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed his P45 from Manchester United the same year - although his £7.5m pay-off does not make the list.
1. Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2018) - £26.2m
Fallouts with the likes of fan-favourites Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were bound to get Conte into trouble with the fans.
The Italian won the Premier League and FA Cup in his first season but finished in fifth and outside the crucial Champions League spots in his second.
2. Jose Mourinho (Man Utd, 2018) - £19.6m
A serial winner - but United fans could just never accept having the former Chelsea boss in charge.
His style of football left many disillusioned at Old Trafford - but now the fans are grumbling with Erik ten Hag, so careful what you wish for.
3. Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2007) - £18m
The Special One departed Stamford Bridge with three years of his contract remaining back in 2007 - meaning a healthy pay off.
Several players were said to have been left in tears at his exit - he won the Premier League in his first two seasons in charge.
4. Laurent Blanc (PSG, 2016) - £17m
Even France legend Laurent Blanc couldn't overcome what is seeming to be a poisoned chalice at PSG.
He was succeeded by now Aston Villa boss Unai Emery - who had an even more miserable time in charge in Paris before moving on to Arsenal.
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5. Jose Mourinho (Tottenham, 2021) - £15-20m
Mourinho's departure from Spurs meant his career earnings from being sacked sat at a whopping £77.5m.
He was sacked just before a Carabao Cup final, leaving him unable to take charge and try to mastermind a first trophy for Spurs since 2008.
6. Nuno Espirito Santo (Tottenham, 2021) - £14m
Things started brightly for the ex-Wolves gaffer, who was named as the Premier League's Manager of the Month for August after winning his opening three games.
But his fairytale start soon turned into a nightmare as he lost five out of the next seven matches - conceding 16 goals in the process.
7. Luis Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, 2009) - £13.6m
Blues fans must have been excited when in came the Brazil World Cup winner.
But seven months later, seven points behind top-of-the-table Manchester United and in fourth, Scolari was out the door and Guus Hiddink was brought in.
8. Fabio Capello (Russia, 2015) - £13.4m
There was always likely to be plenty of money on the table when the Russian FA decided to hire the legendary Capello for the job.
But he failed to win a match at the Brazil World Cup and was ditched when the European Championship campaign started poorly.
9. Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea, 2022) - £13m
Despite success in the Champions League and a top four finish amid uncertainty with Chelsea's owners, Tuchel saw himself sacked after a poor start to the season.
The German was replaced by Graham Potter, who struggled to improve the team's fortunes, having gone on a run which saw the Blues win just one game out of 11 after the New Year and was sacked himself.
10. Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham, 2019) - £12.5m
At the time it DID appear Poch was struggling with the team down in 14th spot.
In recent years, some fans were regretful he was hastily sacked - but now the feel-good factor is back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to Ange Postecoglou.
