Antonio Conte will remain Inter’s head coach for next season and possibly beyond, according to a report in the Italian media today.

Gazzetta dello Sport‘s online edition said nobody would consider the idea of parting company with Conte this summer, especially if the Nerazzurri secure the Serie A title as is likely.

Conte is happy with life at Appiano Gentile, thanks in part to a relationship with his players that he has described in the past as ‘special’.

Inter have not discussed a new contract with Conte yet but the report said they could well sit down at the end of the season, in order to avoid Conte starting next season with only one year left on his deal.

Conte will begin his third season at Inter with even greater motivation than the previous two, the Milan-based publication suggested, hoping to make the club a dominant force in Italy and make greater progress in Europe.

Qualifying from the group stage will be his minimum objective next year, while progress in the knockout stage would depend on various factors such as the draw.

Conte is under contract with Inter until the summer of 2022, with his salary set to be increased next year to €13.5 million after tax (as per the initial agreement).

GdS suggested that in addition to a contract extension, a fourth-choice striker would also be necessary if Inter wanted to improve in the UEFA Champions League.