LONDON -- Antonio Conte has dismissed reports that he could be set to bring Andrea Pirlo to Chelsea in a coaching capacity, insisting that the New York City FC midfielder has no immediate plans to retire from playing.
Earlier this week former Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins claimed that Conte had identified Pirlo as his chosen replacement for assistant first team coach Steve Holland, who is leaving to take up a full-time role on England manager Gareth Southgate's backroom team at the end of this season.
Chelsea stressed when announcing Holland's departure in December that he would not be directly replaced, but Pirlo's high-profile visits to Cobham and Stamford Bridge in recent months have led to speculation that he might become a more permanent presence under Conte.