Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed he has long-term plans to stay at Chelsea, amid talk linking him with a move back to Serie A, as reported by Sky Sports.
Conte was appointed as Blues manager last April, having guided the Italian national team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
And he has enjoyed a superb first season in England – guiding Chelsea to the Premier League summit with seven games remaining this season.
Sky Italia had understood that both Inter Milan and AC Milan had contacted Conte’s representatives over his availability this summer.
Ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, the ex-Juventus manager insisted that he hopes to build on his early success at Stamford Bridge.
I hope to stay for a long time here. Coaching is not an easy job and a lot depends on the results. I like to think results are important, but they are not everything. I think for every coach our work is important every day and then to be judged.
During the game I think I show my passion and my will to not lose. I don’t want to lose. I love football and I think people understand my passion. It’s great to know that Chelsea fans are happy with me.
Having moved for pastures new from Juventus – the side he won three league titles with in Serie A, Conte admitted that he was initially sceptical about a move to London.
I was worried at the start because it’s not easy and when you arrive and find a situation totally different. To transfer your ideas, your philosophy, to the training sessions, wasn’t easy. We needed a bit of time for me to adapt and for the players to adapt to my philosophy. I always saw great commitment from the players and great work-rate and attitude.
The 47-year old guided the Blues to a 13-match winning streak spanning from October to January – which coincided with the switch to a 3-4-3 system.
Chelsea are currently in pole position for their second title in the space of three years – and a win against Manchester United on Sunday would put them ten points clear of Tottenham.
Conte also praised his players for impressing him upon his arrival.
I am happy for the work we are doing with the club, with the staff, with the players. It’s not easy to arrive, my first experience in England, a new league and new language, it’s not easy. I must be pleased for these reasons. We are in a good position, fighting to win the title, but the road is long and we must pay great attention.
Until now it’s a good season, I hope it will become a great season. We are top and want to keep this position. It won’t be easy for sure.
We want to reach the target and if we are able to then it will be an amazing achievement for me and the players. We started the season as underdogs. I want to win first then I say where it compares to other achievements in my career.
