Conte to snub Italy
ANTONIO CONTE is expected to snub the chance to replace Giampiero Ventura as Italy boss after their World Cup disaster. Ventura will be axed today having failed to get his nation to the finals for the first time since 1958 – and Conte is among the favourites to take over. Some Italy fans are already campaigning for the Chelsea boss to return to the role he made such a success of at Euro 2016.
But it is understood Conte is not interested, and Chelsea are relaxed
about reports linking him with the job because he is set to see out his contract.
The Italian’s testy relationship with the Blues board has led to plenty of speculation he could quit, but his current deal does not expire until 2019.
He has also just moved his family to join him in London, where his daughter goes to school, and has no plans to uproot them any time soon.
Conte was quoted as saying he fancied a return to Italy only last month, but quickly clarified those comments by insisting he meant some time in the distant future.
The 48-year-old also quit his job as national team manager to join Chelsea as he missed the cut and thrust of club football and has no plans to return to the international scene.
Fate
Instead former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is out of work after being sacked by Bayern Munich, is the leading candidate.
Ventura has been widely criticised and reports emerged he threatened to resign after a row with the players when they lost the first leg of their play-off to Sweden.
Daniele De Rossi was then caught on camera during Monday’s 0-0 draw in the second leg angrily quizzing the coach’s decisions.
When asked to warm up, the midfielder pointed to striker Lorenzo Insigne instead and shouted: “Why the **** should I go on? We don’t need to draw, we need to win!”
Ventura’s fate is to be decided at an Italian FA board meeting today.