Antonio Conte has admitted he doesn’t know if he will be at Stamford Bridge beyond next season as the Chelsea boss refused to commit his long-term future to the club.
The Italian won the Premier League title last term, in his first season as head coach with the Blues, who play Leicester on Saturday.
Conte signed an improved contract last summer, but it was not an extension to his deal which still expires in June 2019, and there has been continual speculation over his position.
Antonio Conte has refused to commit his future to Chelsea beyond the current season
The former Juventus and Italy boss says that goes with the territory of working at Chelsea and does not happen at other clubs.
He said: ‘I have another year of (my) contract with this club. But as you know very well everything is possible. In one moment you stay here, in another moment another person replaces you in your job.’
Asked if he would extend his contract with Chelsea, Conte added: ‘In this case, I think the club has to decide to send me away.’
Conte said it was normal for Chelsea’s manager to face speculation about their position
Conte’s position has been the subject of speculation regarding a rumoured frustration over transfers.
He added: ‘For the manager of this club it’s normal to have this type of situation, also if you won last season the league and you reached the final in the FA Cup. This is the history of this club for the manager.
‘I have a lot of experience to deal with this type of situation. (But) there is something strange if, after the first game we lost against Burnley, the press pushed quickly to sack me for another coach. I think in other clubs this doesn’t happen.’
Conte insisted he is happy at Chelsea, will continue to work as a professional and will ‘never give up’.