Finally, Chelsea confirm Conte new manager

Antonio Conte, the Italian national team coach, has been signed as the new manager of Chelsea FC.

After putting pen to paper, Conte told Chelseafc.com: “I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that.

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League.

” Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy.

“I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.”

Marina Granovskaia, Chelsea FC director, expressed his happiness over the signing, saying: “We are very pleased to have recruited one of the most highly regarded managers in world football and we are equally pleased to do so before the end of the current season. This aids our future planning.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Guus Hiddink, who has done a great job since he joined us in December.”

Also speaking, Bruce Buck, Chelsea chairman, said: “Antonio Conte has a record of consistent success in his career as a manager and as a player.

“We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge and are confident he will find all he needs to maintain that high standard of achievement.”

Conte will take charge of the team after leading Italy to Euro 2016.