Antonio Conte to Chelsea: Premier League move a major sideshow facing Italy manager at Euro 2016

The former Juventus coach is ready to move out of 'the garage' - but first he must manage the Azzuri at this summer's tournament in France

Antonio Conte (GETTY IMAGES)

“I find it too hard to stay in the garage,” explained Antonio Conte to a packed press-room at Coverciano ahead the Italian national team’s friendly with Spain on Thursday night. “In the garage you get the scent of the car; the tires, the engine oil but not that of the grass, of the field.”

This was the 46-year-old tactician’s cryptic way (which he later underlined in no uncertain terms) that he would be leaving his post as ‘Commissario Tecnico’ of the Azzurri after Euro 2016. The declaration was essentially confirmation of an impending move to London to take over at Chelsea – which has been the worst kept secret in European football for some time. However, the unfortunate metaphor landed him in hot water with Italian press and fans alike as he was accused of disrespecting his position.

In stark contrast his predecessor, Cesare Prandelli, saw the role as more than just that of a coach but of a representative of the nation, which led him to enforce a strict code of ethics for players and organise events such as ‘anti-Mafia’ training sessions. Italy’s World Cup-winning managers Vittorio Pozzo, Enzo Bearzot and Marcello Lippi were honoured to oversee such a prestigious responsibility. Yet from the very beginning the national perception of Conte has been that he feels he’s been doing the country a favour in his capacity – while earning €4.6m per year (putting him behind only Roy Hodgson as the best paid national team coach in Europe).

Nevertheless promises have not been upheld. Conte was assured increased access to players in the form of additional training camps during the season when he joined in the summer of 2014. However, Serie A’s finest regularly vetoed any participation from their players. “I hope that we manage to work together to find a solution to help make the national team a reference point in our football,” the former Juventus boss stated after cancelling a training camp in February last year. Just over 12 months later and the situation has remained unchanged, which was undoubtedly a major contributing factor to Conte’s announcement last week.

The Azzurri qualified for the Euros from Group H unbeaten, but often struggled going forward – eventually finishing on 15 goals, level with Northern Ireland and only Portugal amounted a worse tally out of the group winners. Graziano Pellè was the top-scorer in qualifying with three goals. Conte still does not have much to work with upfront, but freezing out Lorenzo Insigne until this latest round of friendlies over a “lack of commitment” ultimately backfired. The diminutive Napoli forward has reached double digits in goals and assists at club level this term, and proved his worth against Spain and Germany.

The draw against Spain in Udine with several key absentees was a confidence booster as Conte experimented with a 3-4-3 formation. The high-pressing and diagonal play frustrated the current European champions. A back-three formation plays to Italy’s main strength; the Juventus defence consisting of captain Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. Pep Guardiola singled Bonucci out as one of his “favourite ever players” last month, but the centre-back credits Conte with his development: “I must say that [Conte] has really taught a lot at a tactical level. If today I’m among the best players in Europe a good part of the credit lies with him.”

Any confidence that had built up among the Azzurri proved to be fleeting as Germany recovered from their 3-2 defeat to England to thoroughly out-play Italy in Munich. Conte trialled a host of fringe players, but it was the decision to play the lethargic Riccardo Montolivo and Thiago Motta in tandem in the 3-4-3 that proved suicidal against Mesut Özil and Co. The 4-1 defeat was Italy’s worst since the Euro 2012 final. Conte admitted post-match they had a significant “gap to bridge” with the very best in Europe.

Attention now turns to the tournament itself and kick-off against Belgium on June 13, but for Conte the ‘Chelsea issue’ remains a sideshow to proceedings. “For me it is not a taboo subject,” he insisted on the topic of the Blues. “I can also speak about Italian clubs too. I will consider the choices on offer whether in Italy or abroad. The only thing I can confirm is that I’m not going to go to another national team as I miss club management.”

The eight-time Scudetto winner will undoubtedly give his full commitment to the national side, but the speculation of potential Chelsea signings increases by the day from 17-year-old AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to bustling Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan and every other decent Serie A player in between. Gary Staker, the Blue’s player liaison officer, was in Udine last week. A member of the media decided to preface a question to Conte with a ‘How are you?’ which was met with laughter from colleagues and a stern reply of ‘Fine’ from the man himself.

He has remained coy on his English abilities, but sooner or later he will be answering all the questions that way, and it remains to be seen how much of a distraction that proves to be for Italy at Euro 2016.