Antonio Conte appointed Chelsea manager

Chelsea have confirmed that Antonio Conte will become their new manager following the conclusion of the 2016 European Championship.

Current Italy boss Conte, 46, signed a three-year deal with reigning Premier League champions on Monday.

"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," he told Chelsea's official website. 

"I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League.

"Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy.

"I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros."

Conte becomes the 10th manager to take charge of Chelsea since Roman Abramovich completed his takeover of the club in 2004. 

The London club have been searching for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho since sacking him in November, with current interim boss Guus Hiddink stating on a number of occasions that he would not be staying at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season. 

Conte arrived in London on Sunday afternoon and held final discussions with Chelsea before signing a contract 24 hours later that will keep him at the club until 2019. 

Sky in Italy reported that Conte's representatives had been in talks with Chelsea since February, with initial discussions held with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia. 

Conte won three Serie A titles with Juventus before resigning in 2014 and the guided the Italian national team to unbeaten European Championship qualification campaign, winning seven and drawing three of their 10 matches. 

Italy have been drawn in Group E for the finals, along with Belgium, Sweden and Republic of Ireland.