Gary Staker used to be a Chelsea steward before his current job title

From working as a Chelsea steward on the sidelines, to Claudio Ranieri's translator, to sitting next to Antonio Conte's family in the VIP area.

Meet Gary Staker, the Chelsea backroom official who was spotted in Udine alongside Daniele Conte, the brother and agent of the Italy manager, on Thursday night.

Part of the Stamford Bridge set-up since before 2000, Staker's current job title is player liaison officer, but he is rarely seen in the stands as he was at the Dacia Arena.

Chelsea player liaison Gary Staker (second from left) was spotted talking with Antonio Conte's agent and brother Daniele (sat in front) ahead of Italy's friendly international against Spain in Udine

Staker worked as Claudio Ranieri's translator at Chelsea after previously being a steward at Stamford Bridge

Staker's presence at the friendly fuelled speculation that Italy boss Antonio Conte will take charge at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho (centre) pictured sharing a joke with Chelsea staff member Staker (left) in 2004 in Porto

Instead Staker can forever be found by the tunnel; the man stood behind the Chelsea manager, from Gianluca Vialli in 1998 to Guus Hiddink in 2016.

A club insider told Sportsmail: 'Gary is a club stalwart. He is a consistent part of the club staff that mostly goes unnoticed - until sitting with your not-yet-confirmed manager's brother.'

And that's the point.

Staker - who is half-Italian - sitting next to the man who represents the manager tipped to take over at Stamford Bridge in the summer could have been a coincidence.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri in tears at the final whistle after beating Arsenal 2-1 with his translator

It could also have been a coincidence that, according to an eye witness, Elisabetta Conte, wife of Antonio, turned to Staker and punched the air when Lorenzo Insigne scored the opener for Italy.

Staker was invited to the international friendly by the FIGC - the Italian football federation - and apparently in the country on family business rather than Chelsea.

Is it possible the person who sorts out the seating plan at the Italian football's governing body just has a good sense of humour, or felt like causing a stir? Staker is part of the inner circle at Chelsea but has little say in the boardroom, so make of his presence in Udine what you will.

Either way, it hardly rubbished the rumours that Conte is heading for Chelsea.

According to a witness, Conte's wife turned to Staker and punched the air following Lorenzo Insigne's goal

So, what does a player liaison officer do? Answer: just about anything.

They can find a footballer a home, show his family the local sights, tell him what dress codes apply where, arrange English lessons, set up a Netflix account, whatever. You name it, he or she'll do it.

It is his or her job to help overseas footballers in the Barclays Premier League and be the link between the manager and the players, paying attention to the dull details others might miss.

Making sure you don't forget your passport for that European trip, for example, or telling you where to park your Ferrari on your first day.

Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates makes a presentation to Staker at the club's Christmas party in 2001

That, in a nutshell, is what they do; making footballers' lives better so they can play better football.

Known as a cheery character, Staker can be seen at Stamford Bridge week in, week out, and at their Cobham training ground too.

He started out as a tunnel steward but became Ranieri's translator in 2000 because he could speak Italian, given his family are from the north of Italy.

That is something which could come in handy for Conte, and would have done for his brother on Thursday night too.

'He has been at the club for a very long time now and has witnessed many comings and goings,' a Chelsea source added when asked about Staker. 'As well as a lot of success.

'He is more than well-equipped in his work as player liaison, with such immense experience of world class international footballers, who are not always the easiest to look after.'

Former Chelsea manager Ranieri talks with his interpreter following the PFA Awards in London

Italian striker Pierluigi Casiraghi (left) with Staker at Stamford Bridge after signing for the Blues in 1998

Staker is believed to have had a spell in security at Stamford Bridge too but preferred looking after players a different way.

The television crews chased him down the aisles in Udine and he and Daniele were far from discrete, given their seats were placed in front of the press box for the world's media to see.

Italy drew 1-1 but took the game to Spain, who could easily have been beaten, and it gave the boys in blue in west London a glimpse into what life could be like under Conte.

So too Staker, whose Italian may be heard echoing down the Stamford Bridge tunnel a lot more next season.