Chelsea announce Antonio Conte as new manager

.@ChelseaFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Antonio Conte... https://t.co/prZqPkLaNE pic.twitter.com/hUu7iHVVRm

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2016

After a difficult season, where the defending champions saw the back of legendary coach Jose Mourinho in the winter, Chelsea appointed Guus Hiddink as an interim manager back in December. After months of speculation, Antonio Conte was finally confirmed as the coach of the Blues today.

The Italian expressed his joy at the appointment. "I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that.

"I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League,' said the 46-year old who guided Juventus to 3 consecutive Serie A titles.

In a media release, Chelsea confirmed that the current Italy manager will take the manager's role on a three-year contract which will expire in the summer of 2019.

Chelsea who have 44 points and sit firmly in midtable, will find it difficult to qualify for Europe next season, and Antonio Conte will have his hands full to take the club back to glory. The Italian manager has a pedigree of success, and the Londoners will be hoping he repeats his Juventus heroics with them. 

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck was delighted as well. "Antonio Conte has a record of consistent success in his career as a manager and as a player. We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge and are confident he will find all he needs to maintain that high standard of achievement," he said.

(Read how Antonio Conte's arrival will affect Chelsea's fortunes in the near future)