Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been appointed head coach at Internazionale, the Serie A side have announced.
The 49-year-old returns to management having been sacked by the Blues at the end of the 2017-18 season.
“A new chapter in my life is beginning, I’m really excited,” said Conte on Inter’s official website. “Through my work, I’ll try to repay all of the trust that the president and directors have placed in me.
“I have chosen Inter because of the club it is, because of the project’s sound basis and how ambitious it is. Because of Inter’s history. I was struck by the club’s transparency and the desire to bring Inter back to where it belongs.”
Conte spent two years at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League in his first season and the FA Cup in his final match in charge in May 2018. The Italian replaces the sacked Luciano Spalletti at the San Siro after the Nerazzurri finished fourth in Serie A this season, 21 points behind champions Juventus.
Ex-Italy boss Conte will be charged with closing the gap on his former side, which he led to three league titles in three seasons as manager between 2011 and 2014.
“I’m sure that Antonio Conte is one of the best coaches out there,” said Inter president Steven Zhang. “I’m certain that he’ll help us achieve our objective and fulfil our mission, one which has always remained the same: to make this club one of the best in the world again.”
Lennon appointed Celtic manager on permanent basis
Neil Lennon has been confirmed as Celtic’s permanent manager on a rolling 12-month contract, having returned to the club on an interim basis in February.
Lennon was offered the post full-time after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts, completing a ‘treble treble’ of nine domestic trophies in three seasons for the club.
“It is a massive honour to be named Celtic manager once again,” Lennon said. “I had always dreamed of returning to this role on a permanent basis and I am absolutely delighted to once again be part of one of the biggest and best clubs in the world – an institution which really does mean so much to me and one which has always been such a huge part of my life.”
The 47-year-old returned to Celtic Park after Brendan Rodgers left for Leicester City, having first been in charge between 2010 and 2014.
“When I was asked to take over in February, I felt it was my duty to do so,” Lennon added. “Celtic will always be my club and I wanted to help finish the job which had been started. I was delighted with the way the players stuck to their task and delivered another historic success, which is unlikely to ever be repeated.”
“I was also delighted to receive such great support from our fans since returning, something for which I will be forever grateful. I want to be part of delivering more great days and great achievements and I look forward to working with the players, the staff and the fans to make this happen.”