Chelsea boss Antonio Conte could be offered Italy job and way out of Stamford Bridge
Blues boss' moaning about the strength of his squad is adding to internal frustrations after splashing £200million this season
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ITALY are poised to offer Antonio Conte and Chelsea a way out of their marriage of convenience.
Desperate Azzurri chiefs will fly to London to sound out the beleaguered Blues chief about becoming national boss again.
Italy FA vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta revealed there are “four or five” candidates including Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti.
But the former AC Milan defender added: “Conte is in the line.
“I will fly to London in the next few days. We have to start interviews. We are not rushed for time, but we have to start moving and go talk with them as soon as possible.”
Conte signed a new two-year deal at Chelsea in July.
But desperate Italy are prepared to go cap in hand to their former boss to give him a way out of Stamford Bridge — and back to the Azzurri job he left after Euro 2016.
The Italian’s future looked increasingly fragile after Wednesday’s 3-0 home thrashing by Bournemouth.
He claims his side “have to struggle” for a top-four finish and insisted: “I’m exploiting this squad at the maximum level.”
Yet Conte’s consistent moaning about the strength of his squad is adding to internal frustrations after splashing £200million this season.
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Sporting director Michael Emenalo’s departure last November also deprived Conte of his main link to the boardroom.
Italy sacked Conte’s successor Gian Piero Ventura after failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup finals.
And with Italian football in turmoil, Conte would likely be given everything he wants to persuade him back.