Speculation over Conte’s future continues

There continues to be speculation over Antonio Conte’s future as Chelsea boss.

The Daily Mail say Conte’s position is under scrutiny again following Sunday’s draw at home to West Ham and that he could leave Stamford Bridge before the end of the season.

The Times, on the other hand, say Chelsea do not plan to terminate the Italian’s contract before the summer, when they are widely tipped to replace him.

Over the weekend, Juventus boss Max Allegri was again touted as a replacement for Conte.

Claiming an exclusive, The Sunday Express declared that Allegri has “moved a step closer” to taking over at the Bridge because Juve have apparently lined up Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to replace him. 

It came after the Daily Star claimed Allegri’s move to west London is “looking more likely” because of reports in Italy claiming that former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is waiting to take over at Juve.

Ancelotti has previously been linked with a return to Chelsea – and has said that he will not manage in Italy again.

Several others have been linked with the Chelsea job in recent months, including ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and even Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino. 

Conte, whose contract runs until 2019, has continued to insist that he intends to stay.

“It is very difficult for me. Since the start of this season I have been listening to a lot of speculation about my future,” he said at a media conference last week.

“I am reading a lot of speculation about my future since the start of the season and the only truth is that I am committed to this club. This is the truth. The other situations are not true.”