Chelsea has announced that
Antonio Conte, will take charge of the team after Euro 2016 tournament. The Italian Football Federation
(FIGC), last month confirmed that Conte will be leaving his post as Azzuri coach
when his contract expires in July. Conte has now signed a
three-year deal, to become the Blues’ new permanent boss, after Guus Hiddink
leaves at the end of the season.
“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,” Conte told Chelsea’s official website.
“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.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck
added: “Antonio Conte has a record of consistent success in his career as a
manager and as a player. We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge
and are confident he will find all he needs to maintain that high standard of
achievement.”
Massimiliano Allegri, Diego
Simeone, Jorge Sampaoli and Mauricio Pochettino were the other candidates in
the race to coach the Stamford Bridge outfit.