Jorge Sampaoli has claimed he was first choice to become the new Chelsea manager, but lost the job because his English is not good enough.
Italy coach Antonio Conte, is widely expected to be named as Jose Mourinho’s replacement at Stamford Bridge. But Sampaoli, who guided Chile to their first Copa America title last year, says it could have been him.
“I had a meeting with Chelsea’s owner and he told me that I was the first option,’ he told Argentine station Radio Vorterix.
“I was about to be their new coach.
“But then Conte appeared and it became a competition between us. It was him or me.
“I needed some time in order to improve my English but this kind of club doesn’t give you that time.”
Conte will lead Italy to Euro 2016, before his announcement as Chelsea boss.
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