Italy manager to step down after Euro 2016

Antonio Conte will step down from his position as
manager of Italy following Euro 2016.
Conte has been heavily linked with the managerial
vacancy at Chelsea and this move increases the
prospect of him taking over at Stamford Bridge.
The 46-year-old was appointed Italy manager in
August 2014 shortly after resigning as coach of
Juventus.
"I feel that I must go back to being a coach in a
club to have the opportunity of coaching every day,"
said Conte.
Conte led the Turin club to three successive Serie A
titles prior to taking on the national job.
Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho as their manager in
December 2015 and appointed Guus Hiddink on an
interim basis until the end of the season.
The Blues have improved from 16th to 10th in the
league under Hiddink but have been knocked out of
the Champions League and FA Cup.
They face missing out on next season's Champions
League unless they can make up an 11-point gap in
nine games.
What are Conte's credentials?
Conte is a former Italy midfielder who made over
500 appearances for Juventus, winning five league
titles and a Champions League.
He won 35 caps for his country and was part of the
squad that was beaten by France in the final of
Euro 2000.
After spells coaching Arezzo, Bari, Atalanta and
Siena, Conte returned to Juve in 2011 and guided
them to the Serie A title at the first attempt and
without losing a game.
However, he was then charged with failing to report
attempted match-fixing during his time as coach of
Siena.
Conte pleaded his innocence but was banned for 10
months - a sentence that was reduced to a four-
month touchline suspension.
Juventus retained their Serie A title despite Conte's
absence and won their third in succession the
following season before his exit.
Who will succeed Conte?
Conte took over as Italy manager following the
country's disappointing group stage exit at the 2014
World Cup under Cesare Prandelli.
He has led the side to Euro 2016 qualification by
finishing top of their group and remaining
unbeaten, with seven wins.
Bologna manager Roberto Donadoni and Leicester
boss Claudio Ranieri have been mentioned as
possible replacements for Conte.
"We will make evaluations with serenity," said
Tavecchio. "For now, it's time to acknowledge this
and have to deal with a person who has recovered
the image of the Italian national team, his
commitment and sacrifice."