Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed that he had a moment of regret over agreeing to take the job and not staying on with Italy after Euro 2016.
After a highly successful stint with Juventus, the 47-year-old took charge of the Azzurri and led them to the quarter-finals of the European Championship this past summer.
However, prior to the tournament starting, he had already signed a deal to take over at Chelsea ahead of the new season, but he’s now conceded that if he hadn’t have penned a contract with the Premier League outfit, he wouldn’t have been able to leave his players in the national team.
“There was a moment when I regretted my decision to change,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“If I hadn’t already signed for Chelsea, I would never have been able to leave the lads.”
Conte went on to describe the bond that was built between the staff and players within the Italian national team set up, and admits that it was difficult to move on from that even after taking up his new role just days after the tournament concluded.
Meanwhile, he also responded to the speculation that suggested he was set to be sacked just a few weeks ago following a run of disappointing results.
It sounds as though the Italian tactician is taking it all in his stride at this point, and isn’t fazed by the involvement and pressure from owner Roman Abramovich to get results.
“[Roman] Abramovich is demanding but he’s very enthusiastic. He doesn’t let football rule his life, but he wants to know things. He’s been to see us train and to be with the squad many times. He wants to know everything and this is beautiful.”
Chelsea currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table after nine games, with 19 points on the board. A win over Southampton on Sunday could move them up to fourth and just a point behind the joint leaders at the top, as Conte strives to continue his successful run as a coach.