Antonio Conte makes emphatic statement over Chelsea future as he distances himself from Blues' exit
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Antonio Conte has claimed he is not interested in the vacant Italy job and want to see out the remaining 18 months of his contract.
The Chelsea boss was named among the candidates for his national side yesterday by the Italian FA. And the former Juventus coach has looked increasingly unhappy in London with results on and off the pitch.
Alessandro 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: AFP)
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.