EPL: Conte speaks on potential replacement, Luis Enrique

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has spoken highly of Luis Enrique, who is favourite to take his job.

The former Barcelona coach is odds-on with the bookies to be appointed at Stamford Bridge this summer, and may get the call before the end of the season unless results improve.

Chelsea have denied making any contact with Enrique, but Conte is well aware of his name being in the frame.

The Italian, who has 18 months left on his £9million-a-year contract, said: “Yes, I have spoken with him. I know him. We played against each other, and he’s a really good person. When I was the coach of Juventus, he was Roma’s coach.

“I have great admiration for Luis Enrique and, sometimes, he is a fantastic coach. He reached his targets with Barcelona, and also with Roma, you could see a well organised team. I can speak about him very well, as a person and a coach.

“But at the start, you have started to speak about Carlo Ancelotti. He is my friend. We do this job, and our job is not ‘difficult’, but you must be open and understand the situation can change.

“A club can take different decisions. It’s the same for me. But, I repeat, I’m not jealous or envious of other managers. Everyone knows his job, his work. I have, usually, a great respect.”