Chelsea are prepared to drop the axe on manager Maurizio Sarri before the end of the season.

The Sun says Sarri will be sacked if Chelsea fall away in their battle for the top four and get eliminated from the Europa League.

The Italian has struggled to win over the players and fans at Stamford Bridge.

On multiple occasions this season Sarri has told reporters he is struggling to motivate his squad.

And supporters are beginning to turn against the Chelsea boss as well after defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup earlier in the campaign.

Chelsea face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and could meet Arsenal in the final.

But any defeat would leave Sarri in a precarious position at the club.