Antonio Conte “still a candidate” for Italy job despite Chelsea boss insisting he'll see out remaining 18 months
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Antonio Conte is “still a candidate” for the Italy job despite claiming he will finish his 18 month contract at Stamford Bridge.
Alessandro Costacurta, who will help appoint the new Italy coach, has said Under 21 boss Luigi Di Biagio will take charge for next month's friendly with England.
But the former Milan defender said: “Conte said he had 18 months left on his Chelsea contract and would respect it? We’ll see, he’s still a candidate.
“We heard from (Roberto) Mancini last night, but it was by chance.
"Now we have some time to think things through.”
Former Premier League managers Carlo Ancelotti and Claudio Ranieri are also in the running to take the job this summer.
(Image: AFP)
Earlier today Conte insisted he wasn't interested in returning to the national team job.
The former Juventus coach has looked increasingly unhappy in London with results on and off the pitch.
Costacurta intends to start interviewing coaches for the Italy job Conte held at Euro 2016.
But Conte said: “I can tell that Costacurta is a friend and we played together in the national team in 1994. Maybe he forgot that I still have 18 months left on this contract and I intend to respect this contract.”
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Conte is still expected to leave this summer after two seasons at Stamford Bridge – if he is not sacked first. Roman Abramovich has dismissed three coaches mid-season in the past.
But the Italian said: “The speculation doesn't affect me. I hope you are starting to know me. This season always the same. A lot of pressure. I ask myself why. This is Chelsea – this is the only answer. The pressure is normal. For me the pressure is life
If I stay without pressure, I dont like. I like to have pressure. I like this sort of station. No pressure is not good for me, not good for the players.”
Chelsea face Watford on Monday but Conte said new signings Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri would not start. Thomas Christensen is out with a hamstring strain but Willian could return.