- Antonio Conte would be a superb appointment for many top clubs
- The Italian’s future at Chelsea seems in increasing doubt
- Arsenal should strongly consider Conte to replace Arsene Wenger
- READ MORE: Luis Enrique ready to replace Conte now on condition £131m star is delivered
It’s not looking good for Antonio Conte at Chelsea right now, and that should have a number of top European clubs taking notice of his situation.
According to the Sun among others, Conte faces the sack at Stamford Bridge if he cannot guide the Blues to a top four finish this season, which arguably seems quite reasonable by Roman Abramovich’s standards.
While repeating last season’s tremendous success was always going to be hard given the improvement of the two Manchester clubs and the extra demands of Champions League football, Conte should certainly not be guiding this group of players out of the top four places in the Premier League.
Regardless of how wrong it’s gone in his second year in charge of Chelsea, there can be no doubting Conte showed a great deal of promise last season to lift largely the same squad of players that finished 10th the season before to comfortable title winners and FA Cup finalists.
The Italian tactician also shone in spells in charge of Juventus and the Italy national team, so where could he head to next? Here’s our look at five clubs who’d be mad not to try to snap him up if he were to leave west London…
Arsenal
Paul Merson has already urged his old club to do it, and we agree that Conte could be ideal to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
The Gunners have been going backwards for some time now and need a total change of approach, with Conte more likely to bring tactical flexibility and discipline to this squad than Wenger has been able to do in recent times.
It could also prove a fine move for Conte himself, as he’d likely be given far more time to do things his way at the Emirates Stadium rather than at a club like Chelsea who change manager on such a regular basis.
The question, as always, is will Wenger finally be shown the door this summer after what looks like being another highly disappointing season?
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane isn’t having the best of times at Real Madrid at the moment, despite a miraculous start to his managerial career.
The Frenchman won the Champions League twice in his first two seasons in charge at the Bernabeu but his side look unrecognisable this season after a huge dip in form.
There’s no doubt the more experienced Conte could be a tempting option to take over at this point, and add some much-needed steel to this Real squad.
If Zidane does go, Los Blancos should certainly be keeping a close eye on Conte’s situation at Stamford Bridge.
PSG
Let’s face it, PSG are doing alright this season as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and co. barely face any challenge in Ligue 1, but it is in the Champions League where manager Unai Emery will be judged.
The Spanish tactician may have impressed at previous club Sevilla, but PSG could soon be tempted by a bigger name if he fails to make progress in Europe this term.
Conte could be ideal for the French giants to take that step forward and ESPN have already linked the 48-year-old as a contender for the job in recent times.
Inter Milan
You’d have to think Italian clubs would be queuing up to land Conte after the work he did at Juventus, and Inter Milan look among those in need of a change at the top.
Luciano Spalletti took over in the summer but has failed to build on a fine start, so Inter could do well to turn to Conte to help them get back among Europe’s elite after a difficult few years.
Conte could also be tempted with another crack at Serie A if he feels at all homesick.
AC Milan
Finally, AC Milan are another sleeping giant of Italian football who could do with some re-awakening under Conte.
The former Juve boss would surely do a better job than current manager Gennaro Gattuso, who is surely not experienced enough for a job of this size and a club of this history and ambition.
If Conte is sacked by Chelsea any time soon, the Rossoneri would do well to get on the phone to him and try their best to see off what is likely to be plenty of competiiton for Conte’s signature.