Antonio Conte expects Chelsea future to be decided after FA Cup Final vs Manchester United

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Simon Johnson8 May 2018

Antonio Conte has appeared to suggest his future as Chelsea manager will be clarified after the club take on Manchester United in the FA Cup Final on May 19.

Conte is expected to leave in the summer after a disappointing second season in charge, but the Italian has claimed throughout that he wants to see out the remaining year of his contract.

Chelsea are believed to have already compiled a shortlist of possible replacements, including Maurizio Sarri, Luis Enrique and Massimiliano Allegri.

A year after Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title, the club take on Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night sitting outside of the top four.

Speaking ahead of what could be his last home game at the helm, Conte said: "There are only two weeks until this season will finish and you will know if there is a different situation, or if you see me again next season.

"As I said before it is very difficult to comment on any speculations because there are speculations around me from the start of the season, after the first game against Burnley (a 3-2 home defeat).

"I think you understood that this speculation is not important for me because my focus is only to work in the best possible way with my players. I am doing this from the start until the end.

"I am very focused on trying to finish the season in the best possible way and I try to transfer my will to my players, also because the fans deserve this.”

Chelsea will probably need to win both their remaining matches and hope either of the two clubs above them, Liverpool and Tottenham, drop points to beat them to Champions League qualification.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Liverpool | 06/05/2018

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But Conte's men have won their last five games in all competitions and he is not letting his personal situation distract from the club's targets.

"I must be honest to tell you that this is not my task to tell if I did a good job or if I have a good team for next season or if we are building something important,” he said when asked whether he was leaving the team in good shape for a new coach. “Now it is not important.

“There is the club and people able to make judgements about this season and also the situation because we have worked together on this project. I think I am the last person to make a judgement on this season.”

Conte has now managed title-winning teams in both Italy and England along with the Italian national team, and is “ready for anything” regarding the future.

“For sure the reality in this moment is I have a contract with Chelsea and I am committed with Chelsea for another year.

“For sure, [they were] three fantastic experiences and different experiences because to be a coach of a team in Italy and coach of the national team and to be a coach of an English team, you have in your back a fantastic experience and it is great for a coach to have the possible to have these experiences.

“My feeling is good to be Chelsea coach and also coach of the national team for two years and to be coach of Juventus for three years. Now my present is with Chelsea.

“My focus is only to Chelsea. The future you never know what will happen because our job is very difficult. You have to be ready for everything. “

Arsene Wenger is leaving Arsenal this summer after 22 years at the north London club, but Conte was coy when asked whether he would want a long stay at one team.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Burnley, Arsene Wenger farewell | 06/05/2018

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“ I think that in this decision there are always two parties to take the decision - not only one side - and I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.

“I like to work with my players [to] build something important but in our job [the final result] it is very important.

“This is very important especially when you are in a great club like Chelsea.”

Chelsea have two more games to try and qualify for next season’s Champions League, and Conte is under pressure to deliver regardless of his future.

“The pressure is always the same and when you decide to do our job you know that you have to live with the pressure,” he added. “You must be good to face this situation the right way because during the spell in a club you can face positive and negative moments.

“You must be ready to continue your work in the best possible way and try to transfer this to your players.”

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