Antonio Conte says he plans to stay at Chelsea for a long time amid talk of a move back to Serie A.
Sky in Italy understand Inter Milan are interested in Conte , who joined Chelsea last summer from the Italy national team and previously guided Juventus to three straight league titles.
He has enjoyed a spectacular start to his career in England, guiding Chelsea to the top of the Premier League with seven games of the season remaining.
They sit seven points clear of second-place Tottenham ahead of a Super Sunday clash with Man Utd and Conte insists he hopes to build on his early success at Stamford Bridge.
“I hope to stay for a long time here,” Conte told
Sky Sports . “Coaching is not an easy job and a lot depends on the results.
“I like to think results are important, but they are not everything. I think for every coach our work is important every day and then to be judged.
“During the game I think I show my passion and my will to not lose. I don’t want to lose. I love football and I think people understand my passion. It’s great to know that Chelsea fans are happy with me.”
Having guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, Conte moved to London and admits he was initially wary of starting fresh in a new country.
“I was worried at the start because it’s not easy and when you arrive and find a situation totally different,” he added. “To transfer your ideas, your philosophy, to the training sessions, wasn’t easy.
“We needed a bit of time for me to adapt and for the players to adapt to my philosophy. I always saw great commitment from the players and great work-rate and attitude.”
A change of system to a back three worked wonders for the Blues, sparking a 13-match winning run in the Premier League that stretched from October to January.
That has put them in pole position to win a second title in three years and Conte concedes he is very pleased with his team so far.
Watch a preview ahead of Sunday’s Premier League action as West Brom host Liverpool and Chelsea travel to Old Trafford
“I am happy for the work we are doing with the club, with the staff, with the players. It’s not easy to arrive, my first experience in England, a new league and new language, it’s not easy,” Conte continued.
“I must be pleased for these reasons. We are in a good position, fighting to win the title, but the road is long and we must pay great attention.
“Until now it’s a good season, I hope it will become a great season. We are top and want to keep this position. It won’t be easy for sure.
“We want to reach the target and if we are able to then it will be an amazing achievement for me and the players. We started the season as underdogs.
“I want to win first then I say where it compares to other achievements in my career.”
