Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has said Antonio Conte breathed new life into his career during his time in charge of Italy.
De Rossi, who is marking 15 years as a Roma player, said Conte -- now at Chelsea -- had got the best from him at a time when some were beginning to write him off.
Conte named De Rossi in his squad for Euro 2016 and the midfielder told Mediaset: "He made me believe again that I could still play and keep up with the game being played at an immense rhythm.
"On a human level, he is a very special person -- difficult but honest and clear in his relationship with his players.
"If he had not created such a great group of players, I would also have left the national team -- but I couldn't leave them now."
De Rossi also thanked former Roma coach Rudi Garcia for "taking us over in a sad moment and giving us a huge hand."
But he said he was unsure about where he would be playing next season, with his contract due to expire in the summer.
Some reports claimed Juventus had sounded out De Rossi about a move to Turin, but he said: "Juve have shown that they can buy the best players in the world, and I think they have what it takes to sign younger and better players than me.
"As for the financial side of things -- given all that I've earned over the years, that is the last of my problems if I want to stay and if Roma want to keep me."