Conte was not Chelsea’s No.1 choice, reveals Sampaoli

Former Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli has revealed his lack of English has prevented him getting the Chelsea job.

Sampaoli has been out of work since resigning as Chile coach in January and was one of the names in the ring to replace Guus Hiddink as Chelsea’s new long-term manager at the end of the season.

However, the 56-year-old, who led Chile to Copa America glory on home turf last summer, has now revealed he was Chelsea’s first choice but saw his application scuppered by his lack of English, paving the way for Italy head coach Antonio Conte to take the reigns.

“I had a meeting with Chelsea’s owner and he told me that I was the first option,” Sampaoli told Radio Vorterix, via The Daily Mirror.

“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.”

Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League and the FA Cup in the last week and appear unlikely to qualify for Europe next season with the club currently 10th and nine points automatic qualification into the Europa League.

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