Chelsea's pursuit of Antonio Conte lacks respect, says chairman of Italian football managers' association

Impending arrival: Antonio Conte is set to be named as Chelsea's new manager
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Simon Johnson16 March 2016

Chelsea have been accused of lacking any respect for the Italian Football Federation in their pursuit of Antonio Conte.

As Standard Sport revealed on Monday, Conte has told the IFF that he is leaving his role as Italy coach after Euro 2016 and will return to club management.

Chelsea have been in negotiations with the 46-year-old for months and it is understood he has already agreed a three-year deal worth £4.75m-a-season after tax.

The chairman of the Italian football managers’ association, Renzo Ulivieri, always suspected Conte would quit his post but claims Chelsea did not ask the IFF for permission to speak to him and is unimpressed by their behaviour.

"It was known that Conte would depart the national team, an official statement was not needed," he said.

The players Antonio Conte wants to transform Chelsea this summer

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"What bothers me is that a club would contact the manager of a national neam without notifying the Federation. It means we are living in a world without the minimum education and manners."

Conte announced he is stepping down yesterday, which means it is only a matter of time before Chelsea confirm he has been given the job.

It is understood Conte and Chelsea are still negotiating over the size of his backroom staff.

Chelsea are prepared to allow the former Juventus coach to bring four of his own men with him and want Steve Holland, assistant to interim Guus Hiddink, to be part of it.

But Conte wants to add more names to his list, which already includes trusted aides Angelo Alessio, Massimo Carrera, Paolo Bertelli and Mauro Sandreani, as well as his brother Gianluca.

Meanwhile, controversial Chelsea striker Diego Costa is set to be left out of Spain’s friendlies against Italy and Romania following his red card against Everton.

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