text: Christian Eriksen admits he was completely caught out by news of Antonio Conte leaving Inter.
  Conte parted company with the club by mutual consent last week, after two seasons in charge during which time he led the club to their first Serie A title in 11 years.
  Simone Inzaghi is expected to replace Conte in charge of the Nerazzurri, but Eriksen is still struggling to digest the bombshell that dropped on Wednesday.
  “It was a big surprise,” Eriksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 Sport (via FcInterNews.it).
  “It’s a very special thing to win the league, it’s absurd because I read the news like everyone else did.
  “He left all of a sudden.
  “We’ve always been good friends; Conte saw football in one way and me in another, but personally there was never anything to discuss.
  “We just wanted to win and that’s what we did, and so after everything I can thank him for this, having won a trophy.
  “It’s a big surprise he’s left, a bit unexpected, because it’s come after we won.
  “We knew he’d have this conversation (with Steven Zhang) like he did at the end of last season, but it was a real footballing shock.
  “We had the impression Conte didn’t want to leave now, I don’t know exactly what happened.”
  Eriksen endured a difficult first 12 months at Inter after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur, but eventually he turned things round under Conte and nailed down a spot in his midfield.
  The 29-year-old admits he does not know what lies in store for him next, though, as Inter begin what will be a difficult summer in the transfer market.
  “Unfortunately I don’t know what will happen and I’m not thinking about it for now,” Eriksen added.
  “The focus is on the European Championships, it depends what coach will arrive and what will happen in the club.
  “I really don’t know, although obviously I’d prefer to play further forward rather than sitting in front of the defence.”
  Eriksen will be representing Denmark in Group B at the European Championships, where they will face Belgium, Russia and Finland.