Italy manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the leading candidate for the Chelsea job as the club close in on their search for Jose Mourinho’s long-term replacement.

Conte is understood to have met with club officials before Christmas and is ready to leave the Italian national team to manage in England next term.

Talks are set to resume between Conte and Chelsea before the end of the Barclays Premier League season in May and ahead of Euro 2016 in France.

Mauricio Pochettino and Massimiliano Allegri are among other names being linked with the Stamford Bridge hot seat, as Chelsea begin to accept that Pep Guardiola is heading for Manchester City.

Italy manager Antonio Conte has emerged as the leading candidate for the Chelsea job

Conte is understood to have met with club officials before Christmas and is ready to leave the Italy team

Conte is believed to have already told the FIGC – the Italian football federation – that he wants to return to club management after this summer’s tournament.

He is ready for a new challenge outside of Italy, having previously won three Serie A titles with Juventus as a manager and five as a player. Sources also claim the Italian is continuing to take English lessons in preparation.

Conte was named on the shortlist for the Manchester United job in 2014 before Louis van Gaal took over at Old Trafford. He subsequently signed a two-year contract to become Italy manager in August 2014, and that deal expires at the end of Euro 2016.

Mourinho was sacked in December and replaced by Guus Hiddink, who was installed as interim manager by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Mourinho was sacked in December and replaced by Guus Hiddink, who was installed as interim manager

ANTONIO CONTE'S MANAGERIAL CAREER Team Played Won Drew Lost Win % Arezzo (06-07) 26 9 9 8 34.6 Bari (07-09) 67 32 20 15 47. 8 Atalanta (09-10) 14 3 4 7 21.4 Siena (10-11) 44 22 14 8 50 Juventus (11-14) 151 102 34 15 67.6 Italy (14-) 16 9 5 2 56.3

Conte is confident that he can get Chelsea competing for the Premier League title again with last season’s champions currently sitting 13th.

Sportsmail was also told that the 46-year-old’s representatives spoke to Paris Saint-Germain but Laurent Blanc’s job at the mega-rich French club is safe. It is believed that the FIGC have already started searching for his successor.

Previously speaking about Conte, Italy and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo said: ‘I have dealt with many coaches in my career but Conte is the one who surprised me the most.

‘He needed just one speech, with many simple words, to conquer both me and Juventus.

‘If Arrigo Sacchi was a genius, then what is he? I expected him to be great, but not that great.’

Chelsea refused to comment. The FIGC were contacted but did not respond.

Conte is confident that he can get Chelsea competing for the Premier League title