Former Juventus manager Antonio Conte confirmed as Chelsea boss

Chelsea have confirmed that Antonio Conte will take over as the club’s new manager after Euro 2016.

The 46-year-old is currently in charge of the Italy national team, but confirmed last month that he will step down from the role after this summer’s tournament in France in order to return to club management.

The former Juventus boss was heavily linked with Chelsea, who have been looking for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese was sacked in December.

Guus Hiddink has been in temporary charge since Mourinho’s exit, but he will depart in the summer to be replaced by Conte, who has signed a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

“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,” the Italian told the club’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.”

Conte won 15 trophies with Juventus during his playing days before steering the Old Lady to three straight Serie A titles as manager between 2011 and 2014 – the first time they had achieved that feat since the early 1930s.

Juve had finished seventh in both of the two seasons prior to Conte’s arrival, and the former Italy international has a similar job on his hands with Chelsea, who currently sit 10th in the Premier League table