- Title: I am very happy to stay here says Conte
- Date: 7th April 2017
- Summary: COBHAM, NEAR LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (APRIL 7, 2017) (REUTERS) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE ENTERS NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE, ASKED ABOUT HIS FUTURE WITH CHELSEA, SAYS: "I read this interview about Andrea Pastorello, and I don't know him, and I don't know why this person has spoken about me. I think I stay here, I am very happy to stay here - this is the most important thing. "I don't like when I listen another person to speak for me, about me." NEWS CONFERENCE AND REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE, TALKING ABOUT SPECULATION FROM ITALY, SAYS: "I can think it is normal to try to involve my name in this situation because I worked in Italy. I think that they want to come back for me in Italy, yes?" REPORTER TYPING (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE, ASKED ABOUT REPORTERS OF ANDREA PIRLO JOINING AS ASSISTANT MANAGER, SAYS: "This is very strange for example because (Andrea) Pirlo is playing, he is playing and he wants to continue to play, and I don't know why someone wants to put this type of situation for me. But it is normal, this. It's better for me I repeat to be focused on the present for me, for my players. The present is now more important than the future for all, and I prefer to be focused in the present and to try to finish this season and to become a great season not only a good season." REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE, ASKED ABOUT HOPES FOR CHELSEA, SAYS: "To come back again to play the Champions League was our first target, and we want to do this because I think Chelsea, Champions League, I think Chelsea must play always the Champions League every season. Then with the club we talk about to try the best solution for the next season, but I repeat now it is important to be focused on this season because this season is very difficult and I repeat we want to finish very good and a good season become a great season." NEWS CONFERENCE AND REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE, SPEAKING ABOUT TOTTENHAM PURSUING CHELSEA'S LEAD, SAYS: "I am repeating this concept for many, many times - that this race is open. I think now I can see two teams - Chelsea and Tottenham - in this race, but anything can happen because there are 24 points and other rivals can go in this race." REPORTER TYPING (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER ANTONIO CONTE SAYS: "For us this is a great challenge because it is not easy to play against a city, and a big game, a big atmosphere, and then to play after three days another tough game against Bournemouth. For me Bournemouth is a really good team with a good coach. They have a good idea of football. I know that the atmosphere in this stadium is hot and I think we must play great attention because if we think that tomorrow is easy then we are making a great mistake." END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 21st April 2017 15:49
- Keywords: Antonio Conte Chelsea
- Location: COBHAM, NEAR LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- City: COBHAM, NEAR LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016BEGENZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Antonio Conte on Friday (April 7) poured cold water on Italian speculation that he would move from Chelsea at the end of this season.
The Chelsea manager said he did not know the soccer agent Andrea Pastorello who made a claim that Inter Milan were looking to sign Conte despite his contract with Chelsea until 2019.
"I don't know him," said Conte, adding "I am happy to stay here".
Conte also dismissed speculation that Andrea Pirlo, currently playing in the United States, was about to start a coaching career at Chelsea.
The Italian manager said that Pirlo was still playing and wanting to continue playing.
Conte said that his unfinished tasks at Chelsea included ensuring his club qualified for the Champions League every year, and building a good season into a great one.
He pointed out that the Premier League title race was still active with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur seven points behind leaders Chelsea. He said "anything could happen" with other teams becoming involved before the final matches.
Finally Conte said he rated Bournemouth, who Chelsea play at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (April 8), as a really good team with a good coach and a good idea of football.
The Italian said that his team realised the match against Bournemouth, currently 13th in the Premier League, would not be easy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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