Antonio Conte says he needs to settle differences with Chelsea board to stay

Antonio Conte has admitted he would need to settle his differences with the Chelsea board if he is to see out the final year of his contract but would expect “several different scenarios” to open up at rival elite clubs should he depart in the summer.

The Italian masterminded an impressive display from his side in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg draw against Barcelona, when Chelsea were the more threatening side despite the visitors’ monopoly of possession. Conte, relatively becalmed over recent weeks as a season of disputes behind the scenes, largely over recruitment, appeared to take its toll and the team’s results stuttered, was back to his firebrand best on the touchline.

The hosts’ performance drew praise from the head coach as “almost the perfect game” but, before daunting Premier League trips to Manchester United and Manchester City, talk post-match quickly drifted back to the 48-year-old’s future as he was interviewed by Italian media. “In 14 years, Chelsea have changed coach 10 times, so they do have a tendency to chop and change here,” he told Mediaset Premium. “The media plays on this when the results are negative, and they were already talking about me getting sacked after we lost the first game of the season to Burnley.

READ MORE: Five things we learned as Chelsea drew with Barca

“But it’s no problem for me. In fact, I really like pressure. I just hope it doesn’t affect the players. In our line of work, we always have a bag packed. My intention is to remain here, but if something were to change, there would be several different scenarios opening up.

“It’s no problem for me. But I have said very clearly that I have a contract to 2019 and I intend to respect it, but anything can happen in football. I’m happy here but, to move forward with the marriage, everyone needs to be in agreement. All parties must be happy.”

The Italian Football Federation have expressed an interest in reappointing Conte as Italy’s national coach, though he is likelier to seek to remain in the club game if, as expected given his tempestuous relationship with the board, he leaves Stamford Bridge early. There could be openings in the summer at Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and both Milan clubs, positions which he would surely find tempting.