Incoming
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte must be successful with Italy at this
summer's European Championship to avoid a backlash in his homeland,
according to former Juventus defender Claudio Gentile.
Current Italy boss Conte was confirmed as Chelsea's new permanent head coach
on a three-year deal on Monday and will officially take up his new role
following the conclusion of the European Championship in France.
Italy have been drawn in Group E for the finals, along with Belgium, Sweden
and Republic of Ireland, and Gentile believes Conte's decision to sign a
deal with Chelsea ahead of the summer showpiece could lead to accusations
over his priorities.
"Italy are not one of the best teams, so he may be criticised after the
Euros. People will think he was not focused on Italy and that he was focused
on Chelsea instead," the former Italy international said.
"I would appoint a new manager for Italy before Euro 2016, so he can meet
the players and prepare for the next World Cup."
Conte, who has been hailed as one of the "best coaches in the world" by
former Italy defender Alessandro Nesta, will be tasked with turning Chelsea
back into Premier League title contenders once he takes up the reins at
Stamford Bridge.
The Blues flirted with the relegation zone earlier in the season after a
disastrous start to their title defence, before Guus Hiddink steadied the
ship following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in November.
Gentile says Conte should look no further than the job done by fellow
Italian Claudio Ranieri at Leicester for inspiration and believes the
46-year-old will be given the resources he needs to be a success in England.
"Claudio Ranieri has shown himself to be a great manager in a very difficult
league. He joined a Leicester team with no title ambitions, however he has
proved himself to be a great manager," he added.
"Now, we need to see what Conte is going to do in the Premier League. He
will have a better team and they'll spend more money to improve the team."
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