Antonio
Conte says he plans to stay at Chelsea for a long time amid talk of a move
back to Serie A.
Sky in Italy understand Inter Milan are interested in Conte, who
joined Chelsea last summer from the Italy national team and previously
guided Juventus to three straight league titles.
He has enjoyed a spectacular start to his career in England, guiding Chelsea
to the top of the Premier League with seven games of the season remaining.
They sit seven points clear of second-place Tottenham ahead of a Super
Sunday clash with Man Utd and Conte insists he hopes to build on his early
success at Stamford Bridge.
"I hope to stay for a long time here," Conte told Sky Sports. "Coaching is
not an easy job and a lot depends on the results.
"I like to think results are important, but they are not everything. I think
for every coach our work is important every day and then to be judged.
"During the game I think I show my passion and my will to not lose. I don't
want to lose. I love football and I think people understand my passion. It's
great to know that Chelsea fans are happy with me."
Having guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, Conte moved to
London and admits he was initially wary of starting fresh in a new country.
"I was worried at the start because it's not easy and when you arrive and
find a situation totally different," he added. "To transfer your ideas, your
philosophy, to the training sessions, wasn't easy.
"We needed a bit of time for me to adapt and for the players to adapt to my
philosophy. I always saw great commitment from the players and great
work-rate and attitude."
A change of system to a back three worked wonders for the Blues, sparking a
13-match winning run in the Premier League that stretched from October to
January.
That has put them in pole position to win a second title in three years and
Conte concedes he is very pleased with his team so far.
"I am happy for the work we are doing with the club, with the staff, with
the players. It's not easy to arrive, my first experience in England, a new
league and new language, it's not easy," Conte continued.
"I must be pleased for these reasons. We are in a good position, fighting to
win the title, but the road is long and we must pay great attention.
"Until now it's a good season, I hope it will become a great season. We are
top and want to keep this position. It won't be easy for sure.
"We want to reach the target and if we are able to then it will be an
amazing achievement for me and the players. We started the season as
underdogs.
"I want to win first then I say where it compares to other achievements in
my career."
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