LONDON, April 5 (UPI) -- Another Italian coach will man the Stamford Bridge sidelines.
Chelsea announced that it appointed Antonio Conte, 46, as first team head coach Monday. Conte takes over for interim coach Guus Hiddink. Hiddink was hired to temporarily replace Jose Mourinho. Mourinho and Hiddink each had two tenures coaching the Blues.
Mourinho was sacked in December.
"I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club," Conte said, according to ChelseaFC.com. "I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that."
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"I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League," Conte told the club.
“La prossima stagione sarò sulla panchina del #Chelsea. Sono emozionato all'idea di lavorare per una squadra così...
Posted by Antonio Conte on Monday, April 4, 2016Advertisement
Conte formerly coached and played at Juventus. During his coaching tenure, he took the team to three straight Serie A titles.
"Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy," Conte told the club.
.@ChelseaFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Antonio Conte... https://t.co/prZqPkLaNE pic.twitter.com/hUu7iHVVRm
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2016
The White and Blacks also won two Italian Super Cups behind Conte. He was named Serie A coach of the year in all three seasons at the club.
"I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros," Conte told the club.
Chelsea's next match is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9 vs. Swansea City at Liberty Stadium.
