Chelsea make SHOCK offer for former manager

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 2 May 2024 16:27 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have made a surprise offer to Antonio Conte to return to Stamford Bridge as their next manager, according to a report in Italy.

The Blues have endured a difficult season under Mauricio Pochettino, with the Argentine already under pressure as Chelsea face the embarrassing prospect of missing out on European football for a second successive year, despite massive transfer spending.

The Premier League giants are reportedly looking to Italy for their replacement.

READ MORE: Forget Pickford! Chelsea should sign goalkeeping prodigy for immediate upgrade

On Wednesday, it was reported in Tuttosport that Bologna head coach Thiago Motta is being lined up to replace Pochettino, but now there are claims from La Repubblica that Chelsea are ready to fight off competition from Napoli and AC Milan for Conte.

The 54-year-old previously enjoyed a two-year spell with the Blues that saw him lift the Premier League title in 2016/17 – the last time the Todd Boehly-owned outfit hit such heights.

When he was sacked a year later after a fifth-place finish, the decision reputedly cost Chelsea €30 million.

READ MORE: How Chelsea could line up with Antonio Conte

Romano to Conte to Chelsea rumours

Fabrizio Romano claims that Conte has not proposed himself as an option for his former side.

“Despite reports, it’s not true that Antonio Conte has offered himself to Chelsea,” he wrote for the Daily Briefing.

“There are no advanced talks with English clubs - it’s absolutely not true.

“We know Conte is open to new opportunities, and Napoli could be a possibility, but it’s not something done or agreed at all, so let’s see what Napoli will decide to do.

“Conte is waiting for an opportunity, he’s looking around Europe, but he will only go for a job when he feels it is the right opportunity for himself. There is no truth to him offering himself to Chelsea.”

Romano’s comments, though, do not rule out Chelsea having made an approach to Conte, who has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in 2023.