Maradona slams Conte’s Chelsea move

Diego Maradona believes Antonio Conte’s decision to join Chelsea could be a major negative for Italy ahead of Euro 2016.

The coach’s contract with the Azzurri is due to expire after the tournament and he has already confirmed that he will take over from interim boss Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge next term.

Conte has previously insisted his imminent move will not be a distraction going into the tournament in France, and FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio says the former Juventus manager is working as hard as ever, recently describing him as the team’s “North Star”.

The Azzurri are currently 17.00 to win Euro 2016 outright while they are priced at 2.60 to win Group E that also includes Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.

Although Argentine by birth, famously captaining his country to World Cup glory in 1986, Maradona’s most successful time in club football arguably came in Italy during a seven-year stint at Napoli.

El Diego’s spell at the Stadio San Paolo resulted in him inspiring another otherwise average side to two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia and a UEFA Cup, and he still casts a keen eye on the fortunes of both the country’s domestic top flight and the national team.

The 55-year-old believes 46-year-old Conte’s decision to announce his decision to join Chelsea before the Euros is disrespectful to the Azzurri.

“What happened is disgusting!” Maradona told Italian TV station Piuenne, as reported by Football Italia. “The coach of the Italian Nazionale who signs for Chelsea! That seems shameful to me.”