
Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte wants to live "different experiences" when his time
at Stamford Bridge comes to an end.
The former Juventus and Italy boss was on Friday forced to reiterate his
commitment to Chelsea amid rumours of a return to his homeland with Inter
Milan.
The 47-year-old, who began a three-year contract last July, has revived
Chelsea this season and is on course to lead the club to their fifth Premier
League title, but is pragmatic enough to recognise that the life of a
football manager is a perilous one.
"In my mind, there is the will to find different experiences in different
countries," said Conte, whose side play at West Ham on Monday, live on Sky
Sports.
"I think it's fantastic to find these experiences. When I was a footballer,
I played only for two teams: Lecce and Juventus.
"But, honestly, in my career I wanted to go and play in different countries.
"Now I am having this great experience in England, in an amazing league. For
me, this is great. And I hope to live this experience with my family next
season."
It is the absence of wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria which likely
ignited the rumour mill of Conte being unsettled.
He admitted it is challenging to live apart from his family, but it was
always the intention for his daughter to complete the current academic year
in Italy before moving to London.
"If you ask me if my family is missing me, honestly, I have to say yes,"
Conte added.
"It's not easy to stay alone, and live this experience with my family still
in Italy."
The other challenge is that Conte went from managing his country at Euro
2016 to immediately taking up his post at Chelsea, so there was no time for
respite.
"This is my first season away, in a new country, with a new language and new
habits, and it's totally different from my past," he added.
"I started two days after finishing the Euros with Italy, and to arrive at a
club, with new players, a new club, to bring your ideas, your philosophy and
to change something in the habits of my players, it's not easy.
"But now, after seven months, I can tell I'm very happy of my experiences so
far with Chelsea, to have this relationship with the club, with my players.
I'm sure we can improve a lot in the future."