Conte, Chelsea New Coach?

Antonio Conte

Italy manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the leading candidate for the Chelsea job as the club close in on their search for Jose Mourinho's long-term replacement.

Conte is understood to have met with club officials before Christmas and is ready to leave the Italian national team to manage in England next term.

Talks are set to resume between Conte and Chelsea before the end of the Barclays Premier League season in May and ahead of Euro 2016 in France.

Mauricio Pochettino and Massimiliano Allegri are among other names being linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat, as Chelsea begin to accept that Pep Guardiola is heading for Manchester City.

Conte is believed to have already told the FIGC – the Italian football federation – that he wants to return to club management after this summer's tournament.

He is ready for a new challenge outside Italy, having previously won three Serie A titles with Juventus as a manager and five as a player. Sources also claim the Italian is continuing to take English lessons in preparation.

Conte was named on the shortlist for the Manchester United job in 2014 before Louis van Gaal took over at Old Trafford. He subsequently signed a two-year contract to become Italy manager in August 2014, and that deal expires at the end of Euro 2016.

Mourinho was sacked in December and replaced by Guus Hiddink, who was installed as interim manager by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.