Italy’s Antonio Conte could be with Chelsea early next week
According to NBC Sports and multiple reports, Antonio Conte is rumored to be done with the Italian national team and ready to move onto his next challenge at Chelsea within a week.
The Italian Football Federation is scheduled to meet tomorrow in Florence, Italy to discuss the future of Italy’s manager, Antonio Conte. Conte has suggested that after only two years in charge of the Italian national team, he wants to move on to a new challenge at Chelsea Football Club.
Rumors suggest the Italian manager has already discussed contract details with Chelsea, and they have offered him three years at $10 million per season. The former Juventus manager wants to return to club football. He coached Juve from 2011-2014, winning three straight Serie A titles.
Italy preparing to announce Antonio Conte's exit to Chelsea, reports claim | #CFC #Azzurri https://t.co/3tzhzhLBsg
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 14, 2016
Conte has a tough task ahead of him, though. Chelsea have been left in shambles after a mediocre season in the Premier League. It will be tough to rebuild a team that looks like it will not qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. The Blues are currently 11 points behind Manchester City in fourth place.
But if anyone is up to the task, it is Conte. Chelsea are lacking on the defensive side of the ball. Having managed in Serie A, which is a defensive league, and played at Juventus as a defensive midfielder, Conte knows how to build a defensive team.
Even though he will have a difficult time bringing big name players in without the lure of the Champions League, he will likely be able to use his connections in Italy to bring in some players from Serie A.
Conte, if the rumors are true, would replace interim manager Guus Hiddink, who, despite winning the FA Cup in his first interim stint in 2009, lost to Everton in the FA Cup last weekend 2-0.