Hate or love him he's still force to reckon with in his home land Italy. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is Italy's top choice to take over as the new national coach. "I haven't chosen yet but I think Conte is the one who could do the best," Italian federation vice commissioner Alessandro Costacurta said on Tuesday's "I'll definitely talk with him in a couple of months."

Conte, whose future at Chelsea remains uncertain, already coached Italy to the quarter-finals of the 2016 European Championship before joining the London club.

Other coaches being considered by Costacurta include Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti, and Claudio Ranieri.

"(Conte) has already shown he knows how to be national team coach while the others haven't yet," said Costacurta, the former AC Milan and Italy defender who is in charge of selecting the coach under the federation's emergency administration.

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't be happy with Mancini or with Ancelotti - although (Ancelotti) seems to have removed himself from consideration."

Gian Piero Ventura was fired in November after failing to qualify four-time champion Italy for the World Cup. Luigi Di Biagio was promoted from the under-21 squad as an interim replacement.

Italy plays friendlies against Argentina and England next month and doesn't have an official match until the Nations League starts in September.

Conte coached Italy from 2014-16 but announced his move to Chelsea before Euro 2016.

Conte has one more season remaining on his three-year contract with Chelsea but he has indicated he is not entirely happy in London and misses Italy.

Upon leading Chelsea to the English Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Conte signed fresh terms with the club but was given only a pay rise - not an extension.
As a Chelsea fan what do you think about this new development should he stay or go?https://247sportalert.blogspot.com.ng/2018/02/again-chelsea-manager-antonio-conte-is.html

Honestly, he did great work with Italy only to all be ruined by brainless Ventura. Conte is one of those coaches who are comfortable as both club and country managers, if he leaves Chelsea I think he should go to his NT. Another reason to support that is that he will probably move on from Buffon and all those old players and introduce Rugani, Benassi, Chiesa, Pellegrini, Emerson, Cristante, Barella etc.

If Conte doesn't secure a top 4 spot he will be fired regardless of what he wants.
Otherwise it would be a mistake to join Italy, they are missing the World Cup anyway.

@Golazo Well, if he won FA Cup or UEFA champion league, they will propably keep him, I hope at least. He seriously should stay at Chelsea though no matter what. :(

It's actually possible that the Juventus job will be available in the summer, if Allegri fails to win the league. Maybe that will give Conte a good escape route out of Chelsea.

@Lodatz To be fair, I really want to someone else get a shot at the Juventus job, Allegri is superb but its been him for too long. Would love to see him somewhere else! :D