Antonio Conte's decision to agree to become Chelsea's new first team head coach prior to Italy's Euro 2016 campaign is "shameful" and "disgusting," according to Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Earlier this month Chelsea confirmed that Conte will succeed interim manager Guus Hiddink at the conclusion of Euro 2016 on a three-year contract, with the 46-year-old citing his desire to get back into club coaching after two years in charge of Italy.
The timing of the announcement was intended to aid Chelsea's planning for a crucial summer rebuild after the most disappointing season of the Roman Abramovich era, but Conte has been criticised in many quarters in Italy by those who fear it could harm the Azzurri's chances of success in the tournament.
And the notoriously outspoken Maradona has now added his voice to the detractors, accusing Conte of disrespecting his current role by agreeing to take a new position before the tournament that will define his legacy as Italy boss.
"This story about Conte is shameful," Maradona told Italian TV station Piuenne. "He's the coach of the Italian national team, which carries incredible prestige in the world, and it's disgusting that he's gone and signed a contract with Chelsea.
"It's making so many coaches have to do nothing for a year and go without a club because there's always the same old coaches moving around."
Shortly after his appointment was confirmed, Conte visited Cobham to introduce himself to the Chelsea squad and reportedly held one-on-one talks with a number of senior players in a bid to assess their levels of commitment to the club, as he formulates his plans for next season.