Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is favourite in Premier League sack race

Chelsea’s Antonio Conte kicked off the new season with a 3-2 loss to Burnley at Stamford Bridge

Antonio Conte is the most likely Premier League manager to either be sacked or resign following Chelsea’s shock defeat by Burnley, according to one bookmaker.

Ladbrokes reacted to Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat by making Conte the 7-2 favourite in their market on which top-flight gaffer will be the first to leave his post this season, although other companies had the Italian as third favourite to depart.

Newcastle United’s Rafa Benitez and Stoke City’s Mark Hughes are joint-second in the betting at 9-2.

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Conte watched on perplexed as Chelsea fell 3-0 down at home to a Burnley side who had won just once on the road in the previous season.

Although his team – down to nine men after Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off – pulled two goals back late on, they were booed off at full time.

Chelsea’s awful start to their Premier League defence comes six days after they lost the Community Shield to Arsenal.

Conte signed a new contract last month but he will know that will not make him immune to the sack, especially considering the last two managers who won the title were dismissed less than a year later.

No Premier League side has won back-to-back titles since Manchester United in 2009.

Chelsea’s odds of retaining their crown drifted to 11-2 as a result of their opening-day defeat, with Manchester City now 6-4 favourites, followed by United at 3-1.