Antonio Conte expects Chelsea future to be resolved shortly after FA Cup final with Manchester United

Antonio Conte expects the months of uncertainty that have surrounded his position as Chelsea head coach to be resolved quickly at the end of the season.

The Italian has a year left on his contract but is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after a troubled campaign. Conte has expressed his dissatisfaction at the club’s efforts to add to the squad that won last season’s Premier League title while inconsistent performances on the pitch have done little to strengthen the head coach’s position.

Victory in Wednesday night’s meeting with Huddersfield Town will ensure Conte’s side retain some hope of climbing into the top four on the final day of the league programme after an improved run of recent form although the odds suggest Chelsea will miss out, and be forced to compete in next season’s Europa League. The FA Cup final with Manchester United offers the possibility of ending the season with a trophy although that is unlikely to influence the final decision on whether Conte stays or goes.

The Italian, though, believes the decision will come quickly and that his future will be determined shortly after the meeting with Jose Mourinho’s United on 19th May.

“As I said before it is very difficult to comment on any speculations also because there are speculations around me from the start of the season after the first game against Burnley,” said Conte. “And I think you understood that this speculation is not important for me also because my focus is only to work in the best possible way with my players.

“There are only two weeks and this season will finish and you will know if there is a different situation or if you see me again next season and we start again from the first game speculation about my future. But I am very focused on trying to finish the season in the best possible way and I try to transfer my will to my players and also because the fans deserve this.”

Conte reinforced the sense that his thoughts are focused on the immediate tasks before him, and not the long term, by insisting this is not the time to evaluate the development of his squad over a season when a number of new signings have taken time to bed in.

“I must be honest to tell you that this is not my task to tell if I did a good job or if I have a good team for next season or if we are building something important,” he said. “Now it is not important. There is the club and people able to make judgements about this season and also the situation because we have worked together on this project and I think I am the last person to make a judgement on this season.”

Neither would the Italian be drawn on whether he would like the opportunity to oversee a long-term development over a number of seasons at one club.

“In this decision there are always two parties to take the decision not only one side and I don't know, I don't know, I don't know,” he said. “I like to work with my players build something important but in our job it is very important the final result. This is very important especially when you are in a great club like Chelsea.”

Alvaro Morata, linked with a move to Juventus this week, returns to the squad after missing Sunday’s win against Liverpool that lifted hopes Conte’s side could still make the top four. The head coach, though, accepts his side have been hampered in their efforts by failures earlier in the season.

“For sure there is a bit of disappointment because this season we dropped many points in a stupid way against teams especially after games when we dominate the game and create many chances,” he said. “We must be disappointed for this but now there is not time to regret because we have to play two games and then the FA cup and at the end of the season we will see our season.”