Antonio Conte’s Chelsea future: ‘He’s the best coach in the world’, says Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo

1 Antonio Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in charge

Italian legend Andrea Pirlo has branded Chelsea boss Antonio Conte ‘the best coach in the world’, as reports linking him with a move away from the club continue.

Conte’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge remains in doubt, with the manager said to be unhappy at the club and planning to leave at the end of the season.

The former Italy and Juventus head coach has been strongly linked with a return to his homeland, and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard recently told talkSPORT that ‘something doesn’t feel quite right’ at the London side.

But former Italy maestro Pirlo believes there is no better manager than Conte and has told Chelsea why they should ensure he stays at the club.

Asked if Conte will be at Chelsea next season, the Italian legend told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams: “I don’t know.

“Now, for me, he’s the best coach in the world.

“He has a contract there, [but] I don’t know where he’ll be in the future.”