Antonio Conte has said he wants to stay at Chelsea for "a long time" as he prepares to take charge of his first ever FA Cup game, reports the London Evening Standard.

Conte signed a three year contract when he took over in the summer and has impressed during the first half of the season, leading the club to the top of the table.

Conte said: "For sure now I'm in a great club and I want to stay for a long period.

"I have a good experience in football, that above all the manager our life is not simple.

"But I want to say 'thanks' to Mike (Emenalo) for his words. I hope to have a good path with Chelsea and to continue to work, to improve my players, to try to win trophies.

"But I remember only three months ago that someone told me that the club wanted to sack me.

"Football is this, because in football you can change your opinion quickly. I want to work.

"I want to show every day my work my players, to try to improve every situation."