Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has said that Antonio Conte "doesn't deserve" to be sacked by the Blues despite the club's unsuccessful defence of the Premier League title.

Conte led the club to the top-flight trophy in his debut season in charge last year but this term they find themselves fighting to secure Champions League football and sit 19 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.

As a result the Italian's position is under intense scrutiny but Villas-Boas, who was in charge at Stamford Bridge from 2011 to 2012, has called for him to be given more time.

"It's a difficult one. Chelsea is marked by changes of coaches and with success," he told Sports Mole at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

"It's nothing new for public and fans, but it's something that can happen for sure. But hopefully not, because he doesn't deserve it."

Conte, formerly in charge at Juventus, has won the league title in each of the last four seasons that he has worked as a club manager.