Antonio Conte Agrees To Become Next Chelsea Manager

Italy boss Antonio Conte has agreed a deal in principle to become Chelsea’s new manager. Conte's contract with Italy expires at the end of Euro 2016 and the 46-year-old wants to return to club management. 

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Tuesday a deal had been struck between Conte and Chelsea, and that Roman Abramovich will make the final call on whether he gets the job. Conte will meet with the Italian football federation in March to confirm that he wants to leave after this summer's tournament in France.  He is also set to hold further talks with Chelsea in the same month ahead of Italy’s friendlies with Spain and Germany.

Conte became Chelsea's leading candidate last month with the manager ready for a challenge outside of Italy, having previously won three Serie A titles with Juventus as a manager and five as a player. Sources claim the Italian has even been taking English lessons in preparation. He could be confirmed by Chelsea before the start of Euro 2016 to avoid speculation during the tournament. The Chelsea owner did want Pep Guardiola after Mourinho was sacked in December but lost out to Manchester City, with the Bayern Munich manager heading for the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

Chelsea declined to comment.