The decision of Chelsea coach Antonio Conte to “break up” with Diego Costa by text message has been mocked by Eric Cantona.
Despite firing the Blues to the Premier League title with a 20-goal haul in 2016-17, the Spain international has been deemed surplus to requirements.
That message was passed on by phone , with Conte opting against informing the striker of his decision in a face-to-face meeting.
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Manchester United legend Cantona has been left bemused by the whole situation at Stamford Bridge, with an odd form of management being adopted by the Chelsea boss.
He told Eurosport in his role as the self-appointed Commissioner of Football: “Angry texting…it’s not a good idea. And breaking up with a text…it’s even worse.
“Mix the two together and you have Antonio Conte’s now infamous ‘Good luck for next year but you are not part of my plan’.
“Every single letter of that sentence addressed to Diego Costa could cost Chelsea about a million euro! Don’t run a team with your thumbs!”
Costa has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid this summer, having left the Spanish capital for west London in 2014.
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A move to China has also been mooted, with interest from the Chinese Super League first surfacing during the winter transfer window.
He will depart Stamford Bridge having netted 59 times in 120 appearances for Chelsea and with two Premier League titles and a League Cup win to his name.