Chelsea manager Conte signs new two-year contract

LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has signed a new two-year contract with the Premier League champions, saying they must work even harder this season to remain the top club in the country.

The deal does not extend the Italian’s commitment to the club because he signed a three-year deal when he joined in 2016, but British media reported he has been given improved terms.

“I am very happy to have signed a new contract with Chelsea. We worked extremely hard in our first year to achieve something amazing, which I am very proud of. Now we must work even harder to stay at the top,” 47-year-old Italian Conte said.

Conte, who managed Italy at Euro 2016, led Chelsea to the league title at his first attempt last term and they reached the FA Cup final which they lost to London rivals Arsenal.

The new contract will come as a relief to Chelsea fans after Conte was reported to be frustrated by the club missing out on Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku, who was signed by Manchester United last week for 75 million pounds ($97.82 million).