Conte's wife won't influence decision on Chelsea future

Nizaar Kinsella

Conte's wife won't influence decision on Chelsea future image

Antonio Conte has denied that his family will influence his decision on his Chelsea future, insisting it is down to him alone.

The coach has come under pressure this season amid Chelsea's poor defence of the Premier League title they won in his first season.

The Blues head into the final game of the Premier League season with a slim chance of sealing a place in the Champions League with a top four finish. Conte's men need to win at Newcastle and hope Liverpool lose at home to Brighton in order to leapfrog Jurgen Klopp's team.

Although Chelsea can still finish the campaign with a trophy when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final, speculation over Conte's future continues.

Maurizio Sarri, Massimiliano Allegri and Leonardo Jardim are among those the London club's board are said to be considering as replacements for the Italian, who is said to be pondering a return to his homeland.

With the pressure building over the past few months, Conte may have a decision to make in the coming weeks, but will not be calling on his wife to help him.

"[My family] live with the same emotion as me. Especially when you have this type of job. It is normal to take your emotions home to your family, but I think for this reason I'm very lucky," he told reporters. 

"I'm very lucky to have a person close to me who helps me in every moment. In positive moments and negative moments, to face the situations in the best possible way.

"In this situation, I make the decision. Also, I don’t want to discuss it because the decision is mine, and I must make that decision. I can speak with the family but it doesn’t change my mind. If I am determined to do something, I do it."

Reflecting on a difficult campaign, Conte admits the loss of technical director Michael Emenalo, who joined Monaco in the fall, may have been a turning point for a side unable to compete in the Premier League and Champions League.

"I think losing Michael was a big loss for us. Also because I think Michael did a great job at this club for many years," he added.

"Last season, Michael helped me a lot. This season, until Michael [left] here, he helped me a lot. For me, for sure it was a big loss. In October, I remember it very well. It happened after the United game.

"[Whether a new technical director is needed] is not my decision. My task is to work very hard and this is not my decision. This is a decision for the others."

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.