FLORENCE, Italy — Antonio Conte said he decided to step down as Italy coach because he misses the day-to-day life of club soccer, but denied Monday that he had already agreed to take over at Chelsea next season.
The former Juventus player and coach, who took over Italy’s national team after the 2014 World Cup, has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
"I’m not tempted by anything in England, because I am still national coach," Conte said Monday, in his first news conference since last week’s announcement that he would leave the Italy team following this year’s European Championship. "Chelsea? It’s not a taboo for me, but I could also start again with an Italian team.
"For the moment I have only taken the decision that I will not be national coach. My desire is to return to a club. Of course, I’ve never hidden my desire to test myself in other countries."
Conte became Italy coach after Cesare Prandelli resigned following a first-round exit at the World Cup in Brazil. The 46-year-old steered Italy to first place in its qualifying group for Euro 2016, earning a spot in the final tournament with a game to spare.
"I listened to my heart, like I did when I became national coach," Conte said. "After we qualified for the Euros, I would have been happy to see the group grow, I felt full of satisfaction and at that moment I weighed up the possibility of staying even after my contract expired.
"But then there were another four months without anything and it was very hard. I didn’t want to do another two years like this. I’m happy here but I also know that it would be very hard for me to spend so much time in the garage. In the garage … you don’t smell the grass."
Italy hosts Spain, the two-time defending European champion, in Udine on Thursday and travels to Munich to face World Cup winner Germany five days later.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Marco Verratti and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli pulled out of the squad with injuries on Monday and will return to their clubs. Daniele Rugani will join up with the Azzurri as a replacement for his Juventus teammate. The 21-year-old Rugani will be hoping to make his debut after being unused in two previous squads.
Anderlecht forward Stefano Okaka replaces the injured Ciro Immobile.
At Euro 2016 in France, Italy is in one of the toughest groups with top-ranked Belgium, Ireland and Sweden.
Considered the best of Italy’s younger generation of coaches, Conte took charge of the national team shortly after his resignation from Juventus.
Conte had won the Serie A title with Juventus in each of his three seasons in charge, being voted best coach on each occasion. Juventus also achieved the remarkable feat of going unbeaten in the league in his first campaign.
Before that, Conte steered Siena to an immediate return to the top division after relegation in 2010, following spells with Arezzo, Bari — where he won the Serie B title — and Atalanta.
As a player, Conte showed steely determination and always gave his utmost for the shirt he wore — Lecce, Juventus and Italy — and he demands that from his players.
