Antonio Conte has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is set to take over as manager of Chelsea this summer, by confirming his ambition to get back into club management after Euro 2016.
Reports from multiple sources over the past couple of weeks have suggested that talks have been held between Chelsea’s representatives and Conte, who led Juventus to three Serie A titles in a row.
And after the announcement earlier today from Carlo Tavecchio, head of the Italian FA, that Conte will step down as the national team’s head coach this summer, the man himself has now revealed that he’d like to get back into club management.
“I feel I should go back to being a club manager, to train with players every day,” Conte has told reporters.
Despite announcing plans to quit the national team this summer, the Euros is still his priority as things stand.
“At the moment, our utmost concentration is on the Euros where, with hard work and sacrifice, we’ll try to get the most out of our potential,” he added.
“Thanks to president Tavecchio who has accompanied me on this splendid adventure on a daily basis.”
Conte rose to fame on the managerial scene when he led Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles before quitting in the summer of 2014, allowing Massimiliano Allegri to take over and continue the Italian giants’ domination.
Conte has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea with Guus Hiddink set to leave the club at the end of the season having steadied the Stamford Bridge ship after taking over in December following Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Indeed, reports in Italy speculate that Conte will join Chelsea and he will bring with him a whole host of backroom staff. Massimo Carrera, Angelo Alessio, Paolo Bertelli, Mauro Sandreani and his brother, Gianluca, are mentioned as those expected to follow him to Stamford Bridge.
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