Diego Costa launches brutal Antonio Conte attack over Chelsea exit

January 23, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Diego Costa launches brutal Antonio Conte attack over Chelsea exit

Diego Costa has reignited his long-running feud with Antonio Conte, claiming the Italian manager was distrusted inside the Chelsea dressing room and that "nobody liked him" following their explosive falling-out at Stamford Bridge.

Costa was instrumental in delivering the Premier League title during Conte's first season in charge in 2016/17 season, forming the sharp end of a relentless Chelsea side that powered through a record-breaking campaign at the time, including a remarkable 14-match winning run.

The Brazilian-born Spain international scored 22 league goals as Conte's men stormed to the crown, but what should have been a period of celebration quickly turned sour behind the scenes.

Costa recalls infamous Conte text message

Relations between striker and manager deteriorated rapidly after Chelsea lifted the title, with Costa later dropped from the squad as speculation swirled around a possible move to the Chinese Super League.

The situation escalated over the summer when Conte allegedly informed Costa via text message that he was no longer part of his plans.

The message has become infamous among Chelsea supporters, reportedly reading:

Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the season we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan.

Now speaking on the Obi One podcast, Costa has offered fresh detail on the moment he realised his Chelsea career was effectively over.

I went on holiday. I had a chance to renew with Chelsea. But then I sent a text message to Conte, "Boss, I want to know if you will count on me next season."

He replied to me via text message too, "Diego, thank you very much for everything you have done but I'm not counting on you."

Costa suggested the decision made little footballing sense, insisting he had been the club's key attacking figure and top scorer.

He had something inside, because it's not normal for a coach not to count on a player who was his team's top scorer.

'He's not the owner of the team'

Costa said he immediately took the matter to then-Chelsea sporting director Marina Granovskaia, claiming she was stunned by Conte's approach.

I sent the message to Marina, and she immediately told me that what he did could not be done, that he was not the owner of the team.

The striker added that he felt deeply disrespected by the manner of his departure, particularly given what he believed he had achieved for the club.

In the end I was in Brazil, I was with my family, and I told Marina that for everything I've done for the club, I don't deserve to be treated like this.

Costa: "Conte doesn't trust others and nobody liked him"

Costa didn't hold back as he offered a savage character assessment of Conte, portraying the former Chelsea boss as intense, difficult to work with and unpopular at Cobham.

He's a person who doesn't trust others. He thinks he knows everything.

You don't enjoy training with him. He's always angry, always with a long face. Probably he doesn't have sex at home because he is a very bitter guy.

Costa also delivered a crude jab at Conte's demeanour away from the training ground, before insisting the manager's style created a toxic atmosphere.

It's a shame because I was very happy at Chelsea but I did not want to cause a problem to the club because if I come back, the players want me to come back but nobody likes him.

In one of his most pointed remarks, Costa implied Conte's lack of longevity at Chelsea reflected how he was perceived internally.

That's why he didn't last long. The past is the past. It's a shame.

The titles he won at Chelsea, he won it with me for his bad luck. So I wish him all the best in his life and that's it.

Conte's Chelsea reign ended after second season decline

Conte's second campaign in west London would prove his last.

Chelsea suffered a sharp dip in league form and ultimately finished fifth, missing out on Champions League qualification after a crushing 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United on the final day of the season.

Whilst Conte did guide Chelsea to FA Cup glory, the club still opted to part ways with him, ending his two-year spell in charge.

Costa praises José Mourinho: "You come to training happy"

Whilst Conte remains a clear sore point, Costa had very different words for José Mourinho, the manager who originally brought him to Stamford Bridge.

For me, Mourinho, personally, was the coach that I enjoyed the most. This is because he gives you life. You come to training happy.

Costa and Mourinho won the Premier League and League Cup together in 2014/15 campaign, with the striker quickly becoming a fan favourite for his aggression, edge and ruthless finishing.

What's next for Diego Costa?

Costa's career since leaving Chelsea has taken him back to Atlético Madrid, as well as spells with Atlético Mineiro, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Botafogo.

The veteran forward is currently a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Brazilian side Grêmio earlier this month, leaving the door open for a possible new move despite being in the latter stages of his career.

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