FORMER Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is “intrigued” by becoming Roma manager, his long-time assistant revealed.
Roma sacked manager Eusebio di Francesco in March, bringing in ex-Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
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There was little intention in extending Ranieri’s tenure beyond this summer, and instead Roma have set about trying to bring in a top class boss in an attempt to revive their fortunes.
It was reported the Italian giants had contacted Conte with an opening of worth £8.2million-a-year.
The Italian’s long-time assistant Angelo Alessio told Corriere dello Sport Conte has interest in taking over at the Stadio Olimpico “even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League”.
Alessio said: “He’s a Coach that anyone would like to have at the helm of their team,” Alessio – who has assisted the 49-year-old throughout his managerial career.
“Antonio has always said ‘I’ll go wherever there’s a valid project, for the long term and with guarantees.’
“He wants a project that then leads him to winning things, not just staying afloat. Roma have a new stadium in the pipeline, many projects that they want to pursue and a young team: why not?
“Theirs is a project that [Conte] can take into consideration. Antonio is open to various possibilities. The important thing is that there are guarantees.
“Antonio is intrigued by Roma’s project, even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. There’s no foreclosure.”
Conte has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea at the end of last season and replaced by countrymen Maurizio Sarri.
Roma currently sit fifth in Serie A – one point behind fourth placed Atlanta, who join Inter Milan, Napoli and champions Juventus in the Champions League positions.
