Antonio Conte is the odds-on favourite to become the next Chelsea manager, following reports in Italy he has agreed a deal in principle to join the Blues in the summer.
Italy manager Antonio Conte is expected to become the Chelsea boss next season
English Premier League club, Chelsea have agreed a 'deal in principle' for Italy boss, Antonio Conte to become their new manager whose contract with Italy will expire at the end of Euro 2016, and the 46-year-old wants to return to club management.
Italian newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that a deal had been struck between Conte and Chelsea, and that Roman Abramovich will make the final call on whether he gets the job.
Conte will meet with the FIGC – the Italian football federation in March to confirm that he wants to leave after this summer's tournament in France. He is also set to hold further talks with Chelsea in the same month ahead of Italy’s friendlies with Spain and Germany.
Sky Sports News HQ revealed that Chelsea technical director, Michael Emenalo travelled to Italy on Tuesday and was present at Juventus' Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich to meet with Conte who also attended
SSN HQ are currently investigating the claim the Italy coach has agreed a two-year deal to become the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho.
Sky Italia's Valentina Fass told SSN HQ that Conte had been linked with Chelsea for some time and a deal between the two was reported to be close to being agreed before Christmas.
However, she said nothing had been signed, adding: "We know that by March, Chelsea want to decide who their manager for next year will be - Conte seems to be ahead in the talks but nothing has been decided yet.
"There are still other contenders. [Diego] Simeone, even though it looks like he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid, is one of the names on the list still, also [Max] Allegri, Juventus manager, is on the list."
If Conte does join Chelsea, he will become the 10th manager to work under owner Roman Abramovich since the Russian billionaire acquired the club from Ken Bates in 2004.