Conte was almost Man City boss, Telegraph say

Manchester City would have targeted Antonio Conte had they not convinced Pep Guardiola to join them, it is claimed.

Ahead of Chelsea’s match against Guardiola’s side today, The Telegraph say Blues boss Conte, then Italy manager, was on City’s radar when they decided to replace Manuel Pellegrini earlier this year.

Guardiola was frequently linked with Chelsea during his time in charge at Barcelona and later Bayern Munich.

The Telegraph say City would have moved for Conte had Guardiola been appointed by Chelsea or if he had decided to stay at Bayern.

In the end, The Telegraph say, City did not pursue Conte once Guardiola agreed in February that he would take over.

Conte’s team face third-placed City this afternoon and arrive as Premier League leaders having won seven league matches in a row, conceding just one goal in the process.