Antonio Conte, Italy to Part Company: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Italy manager Antonio Conte has confirmed he will step down from his post after the UEFA European Football Championship this summer, fuelling speculation he will be taking over at Chelsea next season.

According to the Telegraph, Carlo Tavecchio, the president of the Italian Football Federation, told Sky Sports Italia: "Conte has told me that his experience with Italy will end after the Euros."

Per Sky Sports, he added: "He misses the training pitch and working with players every day. That's understandable."

As noted in both reports, Conte is reportedly the Blues' top managerial target to replace Guus Hiddink this summer, while Sky noted the manager's contract with the Azzurri comes to an end after the tournament anyway—so rather than resigning or renewing his deal, he will simply allow it to expire.

James Olley of the London Evening Standard believes it is a clear sign Conte will be taking over at Chelsea, while Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano asserted he has already signed a deal with them:

Journalist Dan Levene noted there could yet be a twist in the tale, with manager Louis van Gaal under severe pressure at Manchester United:

According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich turned to the former Juventus boss after struggling to land Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid.

On March 3, Abramovich told his staff Conte would be arriving in the summer, with Bellshaw adding that the Italian is expected to receive £13.8 million over the course of three years at Stamford Bridge.

Per Sky Sports, the Blues were believed to have made contact in February, with those talks "reported to have been positive."