Conte will be targeted by Blues owner Roman Abramovich if the Russian billionaire decides to axe Mourinho.
Mourinho is on thin ice following a woeful season that has seen the defending Premier League champions suffer 10 defeats in all competitions.
Abramovich had a face like thunder as he watched the Blues crash to a humiliating home loss against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Mourinho still has the backing of his Stamford Bridge boss, but Abramovich could finally run out of patience should the Blues lose to Porto tomorrow and fail to reach the Champions League knockout phase.
Conte led Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles between 2011 and 2014.
He is currently in charge of the Italian side and is keen to lead them to next summer’s Euros in France before considering his future, when he is thought to be open to a move to England.
The 46-year-old is highly regarded by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy and could be offered a huge deal to take the job ahead of schedule.
But Sir Alex Ferguson has told Abramovich he’d be mad to sack Jose Mourinho.
The former Manchester United boss insisted it’s only a matter of time before Mourinho gets the Blues back on track – and the Russian tycoon should keep faith in him.
“He has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years that I am sure he has learned by it,” he said. “He has to trust and have confidence Jose can turn around.
“There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time. He’s won the European Cup twice, he’s won the league in each country he’s managed in, he’s won the big trophies.
“It would be foolish to take that step to sack him. That would be bad management. It’s not leadership, that.”
Speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt London conference, Fergie also claimed surprise Premier League leaders Leicester – who can pile more misery on Chelsea next Monday – CAN land the title.
“This is a team with fantastic vitality, speed and energy,” he said.
“They could win the league, the way they are playing at the moment, and they have goals in their team.”
Jamie Vardy
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RECORD BREAKER: Jamie Vardy
Fergie also praised England striker and former non-League player Jamie Vardy, whose 14 goals have played a key role in propelling the Foxes to the top of the pile.
“Vardy is a great example of never giving in and keeping a great belief in himself,” added Ferguson.
“He has got certain assets that suit modern-day football. He is aggressive, he is quick, he has got energy and he has got a goal in him. He has proved that.”
Fergie admitted he feared Jurgen Klopp could turn Liverpool into serious rivals for his former club Manchester United.
WISE WORDS: Sir Alex Ferguson
“I’m worried about him because the one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to get above us,” he added.
“He’s a fantastic personality, with those big white teeth always showing. He’s going to make a difference at that club with his personality, drive and knowledge. Things are looking up there.”
He backed his former skipper Gary Neville to succeed in his first management job, in charge of Spanish team Valencia.
“It is a big step from owning Salford City Football Club to managing Valencia but he has got the football experience and that role with England which will help him,” said Ferguson.
“But the most important thing he has got is incredible determination and he is a good decision maker.
“He is a winner, an absolute winner and I think he will do really well. He came to my house and I said, ‘Be yourself and trust in your convictions’.”
(Daily Star)
