Andrea Pirlo considers joining Chelsea’s backroom staff after retirement from New York City FC

ANDREA PIRLO has opened the door on a move to Chelsea — as  assistant manager.

The Italian World Cup winner, 38, will retire when his New York City contract expires in December.

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And he is not ruling out linking up with former boss Antonio Conte.

Chelsea chief Conte has no No 2 and Pirlo said: “I’ll do something else. Work with Conte?

“They say things, I have some ideas but give me time to decide.”

NYC FC have two regular season games left in the MLS, with Pirlo set to hang up his boots after his team's games against New England Revolution and Columbus Crew.

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On retiring, Pirlo said: "You just realise that the time has come.

"Every day you have physical problems, you can not train as you like because you always have some stuff.

"At my age, that's enough. It's not that you can go on forever to 50. I'll do something else."

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After kicking off his senior career at Brescia in 1995, Pirlo joined Inter Milan in 1998, before leaving for rivals AC Milan in 2001.

Following a decade at the San Siro with AC, Pirlo spent four trophy-laden years at Juve before heading to America.

Pirlo was also capped an incredible 116 times for Italy, finding the net 13 times for the Azzurri.

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On top of that, Pirlo won the World Cup in 2006, in the penalty-shootout win over France.

During the Italian's marvellous career, Pirlo won the Serie A title SIX times - with Juventus (four) and AC Milan (two).

The play-maker also lifted the Champions League twice in 2003 and 2007 - while at AC Milan.