Antonio Conte is set to take charge of Chelsea FC and assume one of the hottest seats in the soccer world.
Chelsea announced on its website Monday it has appointed Conte as its new first-team head coach. Conte currently manages Italy’s national team, and he’ll go to Stamford Bridge this summer after his country’s participation in Euro 2016.
Conte is also unbeaten in European Qualifiers with @azzurri – he's taken charge of 10 and won seven of them. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/dPnrr8CnYM
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 4, 2016
The earliest Conte will be able to take charge is June 23, latest July 11. Chelsea's first ICC friendly vs Liverpool in USA is July 27 #cfc
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) April 4, 2016
Conte told ChelseaFC.com he’s looking forward to his new challenge, and his focus now will return to his current role, following months of rumors linking him to jobs at Chelsea and other clubs.
“I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club,” Conte said. “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 …
“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.”
Conte, 46, is one of the most highly regarded coaches of his generation. He lead Juventus to three consecutive Serie A (Italian first division) titles during his tenure in Turin between 2011 and 2014. Juventus finished seventh the season before his arrival.
.@juventusfc became the first Italian team to be undefeated in a 38-game season under Conte in 2012. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/B90KaF1A4p
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 4, 2016
Since 1971/72, Conte is the Juventus manager with the highest win ratio in Serie A (72.8%)https://t.co/wdxtJfcV13 pic.twitter.com/GTeYDeVwzM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 4, 2016
Chelsea hopes Conte will have a similar galvanizing effect in West London. The Blues won the Premier League in 2014-15, but this season has been disastrous. After Chelsea hovered just above the relegation zone for almost half the campaign, owner Roman Abramovich fired Jose Mourinho and installed Guus Hiddink as caretaker manager. Chelsea now sits in 10th place with seven games remaining and has no hopes of winning a trophy this season.
Conte soon will occupy a seat on which many have sat temporarily.
Antonio Conte is the 11th managerial appointment at Chelsea FC under Roman Abramovich pic.twitter.com/dSLuk8TjIJ
— Dan Roan (@danroan) April 4, 2016
He’ll become the 10th Italian to manage in the Premier League and also revive Chelsea’s tradition of looking to Italy for coaches.
5- Conte will be Chelsea’s 5th Italian manager after Vialli, Ranieri, Ancelotti and Di Matteo: 3 of these have won at least 1 trophy. School
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 4, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Maurizio Degl’Innocenti/ANSA/Associated Press
