Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has confessed that his decision to step down as manager of Italy may have been "taken early".
The 46-year-old will officially take charge at Stamford Bridge later this month, having seen his Azzurri side fall to a penalty shootout defeat against Germany at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2016.
Conte announced in April that he intended to depart the national team setup in order to join Chelsea but, while claiming that he has no regrets over his decision, the former Juventus boss admits that he did doubt at times whether leaving was the right choice to make.
"The decision to leave the national team after two years was taken early and I don't deny there were moments when I'd have liked to have the opportunity to continue," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"But, because of certain developments, I wasn't able to go back on that. In November I thought I was continuing with the national side. Then I told the president of the Italian football federation of the great opportunity to join Chelsea Football Club.
"I wanted to return to the cut and thrust of club football. Now, I have the opportunity to start this exciting adventure."
Conte also revealed that he intends to take a full week off before linking up with his new Chelsea squad for pre-season training.
Daniel Lewis
