WITHOUT mentioning Chelsea or any other team, Antonio Conte has decided to step down as Italy coach after this year’s European Championship.

    The former Juventus player and coach, who took over Italy’s national team after the 2014 World Cup, has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

    Italian soccer federation president Carlo Tavecchio said Tuesday that Conte misses the day-to-day life of club soccer.

    “Antonio Conte has told me that at the end of the European Championship, his experience will end,” Tavecchio said on his way into a federal board meeting in Rome. “He feels the calling of the pitch, the daily training sessions, and that’s understandable.”

    Conte became Italy coach after Cesare Prandelli resigned following a first-round exit at the World Cup in Brazil. He steered Italy to first place in its qualifying group for the European Championship, earning a spot in the finals with a game to spare.(SD-Agencies)