I wrote a month ago that Antonio Conte would be the next Chelsea manager and today the Blues confirmed that the Italian would
take over as manager after Italy’s Euro 2016 campaign.
Conte has been Italy manager since 2014, following Cesare Prandelli’s resignation after Italy crashed out the World Cup in Brazil alongside England in Group D.
He has guided Italy to Euro 2016 with an undefeated record in qualifying and they will face Belgium, Ireland and Sweden in the initial group stages.
Prior to taking up a role on the international stage, Conte managed Juventus for three seasons, winning Serie A every year.
He won 83 out of 114 league games with Juventus, losing only seven. His side set a record of scoring in 43 consecutive Serie A matches from February 2013 until March 2014.
‘I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea football club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that” said Conte.
‘I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League.
‘Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy.
‘I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.’
While not Chelsea’s first choice, Conte is a terrific manager who has been successful as both a player and a manager in Italy.
His appointment only adds to the depth of managers that will be coaching in the Premier League next season where Conte, Guardiola and Mourinho will join the likes Ranieri, Klopp, Pochettino and Wenger.
Seven of the top managers in Europe and at least three of them will not qualify for the Champions League next season!
What do you think of the hiring of Conte?
