Title-winning Juve boss Conte linked with Chelsea hot seat
JUVENTUS manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the latest candidate to take over at Chelsea in the summer, according to reports in Italy.
The 43-year-old, who masterminded the Turin side’s unbeaten 2011-12 title-winning campaign, is on a shortlist with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, Swansea’s Michael Laudrup and Stamford Bridge hero Gianfranco Zola, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported yesterday.
Conte was in August handed a 10-month touchline ban for failing to report match-fixing, but following multiple appeals his suspension was cut to four months and he resumed his place on the bench in December.
A run of just one win in six games has left current Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez fighting for his job, although it is thought unlikely that a permanent replacement will arrive before May.
Conte is said to have been learning English for two years and to be an admirer of the Premier League.