Conte responds to rumors he'll leave Chelsea and return to Italy

17 nov 2017

With the firing of disgraced Italian national team manager Giampiero Ventura, rumors of who will replace him have spread with earnest. While Carlo Ancelotti appears to be the front runner, one of the rumors hints at a possible return of Antonio Conte to the role.

Today, however, Conte distanced himself from the vacant position. When asked about the possibility today, he responded, “I think that now it is very difficult because in this moment it is not simple.” He continued, “There are a lot of rumors but no news.”

Conte guided Italy to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals before bowing out to Germany in penalties. Afterwards, he left the position for Ventura as he moved to Chelsea, where he won the Premier League in his debut season.

He spoke about the importance of Italy missing the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. “This is not a great moment for my country to miss the World Cup, it means it is a disaster for us. You know very well how important football is in Italy. It happened. For sure they have to find the right solution and improve the solution.”

He concluded by saying, “They need to take the best option for Italy.”