Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a shock move to bring Antonio Conte back to Stamford Bridge as they search for a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior.
The Italian, who led the Blues to the Premier League title in 2017 and FA Cup glory in 2018, has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacancy following Rosenior’s dismissal last week.
According to reports in Italy, the Chelsea hierarchy have discussed the “crazy idea” of reappointing the 56-year-old, who is currently in charge of Napoli. Conte has enjoyed a successful return to Serie A this season, guiding the Naples giants to third in the table, but he remains a figure of intrigue for the Blues’ ownership.
The prospect of a second stint for Conte would be a major departure from the club’s recent strategy of appointing younger, more “project-based” head coaches. However, after the experimental appointments of Graham Potter and Rosenior failed to deliver results, there is a growing belief that a proven winner is required to restore stability.
Conte’s previous spell in West London ended acrimoniously in 2018, but his record of immediate success remains attractive to a club that has struggled for consistency. During his two seasons at the Bridge, he maintained a win percentage of over 65% and transformed the side into one of the most disciplined units in Europe.
Despite the speculation, any move for Conte would be complicated. He is under contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona until 2027 and is also heavily linked with the Italian national team job.
The Blues, currently under the interim guidance of Calum McFarlane, are also considering other high-profile options. Former midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been given the “green light” by Como to speak with his former club, while Julian Nagelsmann and Xabi Alonso are also thought to be on a five-man shortlist.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch as Chelsea prepare for their FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City, but the search for a long-term leader in the dugout is rapidly intensifying.