Antonio Conte Chelsea exit would be 'sad' for Olivier Giroud as striker targets more trophies at Stamford Bridge

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Tom Doyle20 May 2018

Olivier Giroud is already targeting more silverware with Chelsea, but feels that the potential exit of Antonio Conte would be "sad" after the club's FA Cup Final victory.

Eden Hazard fired Chelsea to FA Cup glory against Manchester United on Saturday as Conte's expected farewell ended with a memorable triumph against old foe Jose Mourinho.

The 137th FA Cup final - and first utilising a video assistant referee - was not as cagey as some had feared but was hardly a rip-roaring affair as the Blues looked to atone for last season's shock finale defeat and a tepid Premier League title defence.

Mourinho came into the match looking to frustrate his former club and write his name into the record books, but Conte - subject of so much speculation regarding his future - emerged triumphant as Hazard's first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win at Wembley.

Conte insisted after the win that he remains committed to seeing out the final year of his contract with the Blues, but warned that he would not adapt his style despite a fifth-placed Premier Keague finish.

Giroud was signed by Conte from Arsenal in the January transfer window and has battled to become the coach's first-choice striker during the run-in, and would regret the Italian's departure should he exit Stamford Bridge this summer.

"It will be sad if the manager will leave," Giroud - who has now won his fourth FA Cup in five years - told Sky Sports News.

"We need to move on - I have got a World Cup and then I will think about next year. I want to win some more trophies with Chelsea."

In Pictures | Chelsea celebrate FA Cup Final win | 19/05/2018

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Conte had said after the FA Cup Final: "I always say I'm committed to this club, to respect my contract.

"As you know very well our job is not simple. I understand that the club can make a decision, a positive decision, a negative decision. I'm the first to understand.

"I'm the coach of a great, important club, in England and the world. It's right that the club demands of me a lot.

"There is also this possibility (that) with this group of players we did the maximum.

"I have great respect for my club. For sure we'll make the best decision. I'm the first to accept every decision for the future.

"After these two seasons I will always love this colour, these fans, this club. Also if my future must be in a different way."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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