Chelsea are confident of keeping Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, despite reports of Inter Milan’s interest in the former Italy coach.
Conte has enjoyed a fine debut season in England with the Blues one win away from securing the Premier League title, whilst they could also make it a double later this month when they take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final. The Italian has endured himself with the club’s supporters from day one, with his passion on the touchline often reflecting theirs in the stands.
So it may come of some worry to the capital club that Inter, who sacked Stefano Pioli yesterday just a third of the way through a contract he signed last November, have set their sights on the 47-year-old. The Nerazzurri are winless in seven matches and have slipped to seventh in the Serie A table, three points adrift of Milan in the final UEFA Europa League spot with three games to play.
Youth team coach Stefano Vecchi has been placed in charge for the remainder of the season, but Inter are said to be hopeful of luring Conte back to his homeland where his wife and daughter are still resident. The former Juventus boss has two years left on his contract in London, but it is thought that he could earn as much as £250,000-per-week if he was to return to Italy.
However, Chelsea are believed to be confident that Conte will not be tempted to leave the club just one season after his arrival. Indeed, they are optimistic they can tie him down to a new and improved deal at the end of the season, and they are also buoyed by the fact that his family are finally expected to arrive and settle in England sometime during the summer weeks.
