Report: Chelsea to name Antonio Conte manager on 3-year deal

Chelsea has apparently found its man, with Antonio Conte set to agree to a three-year deal with the reigning English champion to become its next boss.

Talks between the Blues' hierarchy and the Italy manager proved fruitful on Thursday and, according to the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano and Marcus Christenson, Conte is due to sign a contract within the next 10 days to succeed interim gaffer Guus Hiddink.

Conte's tenure in London would commence at the conclusion of his country's Euro 2016 campaign and he will be compensated with a pre-tax salary of £6.3-million-a-year. The 46-year-old emerged as the leading candidate ahead of Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri, who had distanced himself from the role, and Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone earlier this week.

Conte was a tenacious midfielder during his playing days, winning 20 caps for his country and making over 400 appearances for Juventus. The 46-year-old managed Arezzo, Bari, Atalanta, and Siena before taking the helm at Juve in 2011.

He took the Old Lady to three consecutive Serie A titles before he replaced Cesare Prandelli in the Italy job. Following a successful qualification campaign, Italy will join Belgium, the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden in Group E at the Euro 2016 finals in France.

One of the most successful and respected Italian managers of his generation, Conte is expected to improve things at Stamford Bridge following a limp defence of its Premier League title that currently sees it in 12th - 20 points short of league leader Leicester City.