Following Mourinho’s dramatic departure from Chelsea last season and a Premier League campaign that literally nobody would have predicted, Chelsea were once again looking for somebody to deliver some more silverware.
Lots of names were linked. Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola, a return for Ancelotti perhaps. But it was Italy’s national team boss Antonio Conte that impressed the Chelsea hierarchy most.
The former Juventus central midfielder had an illustrious career as a player winning the Champions League, 5 Serie A titles and numerous other honours. He was known for his energy, hard work and ability to read the game. So it is little wonder that after retirement he began to work his way up the managerial pyramid, returning to Juventus as manager in 2011, after just 4 years of management – quite an impressive feat.
Even more impressive, was the start he made to life as Juventus manager. Whilst he didn’t manage any silverware, it was quite clear that it would soon follow – and so it did with Juventus winning the title the next three years on the trot before taking over as Italy manager following the World Cup 2014.
However, his life as manager has not been without controversy. He has known to be both stubborn and outspoken. Most controversial was his involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal which resulted in him being banned from the game for 10 months for failing to report match-fixing in two games involving Siena. This ban was later reduced to 4 months following an appeal by Juventus and the charge has since been overturned. Arguments with players have also been reported with regularity.
It was with some surprise then that he become Chelsea boss given the other candidates touted for the roll. It was thought that Chelsea may go for somebody a bit easier to control given the sour taste left by Mourinho’s antics.
And it’s fair to say that it has been a mixed start for him. Whilst Chelsea have won the games you’d expect them to, they have failed miserably when confronted with a test. As can be seen by their 2-1 loss at home to Liverpool and the awful 3-0 defeat away to Arsenal.
One thing that he has struggled with at Chelsea, was his inability to sign another centre-back during the summer transfer window. Eventually, he signed David Luiz. It is thought that he wanted just one more so he was able to play his 3-4-3 formation.
We have seen him switch to that shape in the last few games, with full-back Azpilicueta fitting in on the right-hand side of the defence alongside David Luiz and Gary Cahill. And Chelsea have once again looked impressive.
As with all managers, they deserve time to shape the squad towards their vision and drill their ideal way of playing into his players. They also need players they can rely on – and already it seems he is clashing with hothead Diego Costa.
Were it not for the two terrible defeats in their big games you’d say that Conte has been a success so far. But until he proves he can succeed in the biggest games in English football, the jury is still out. One thing is for sure unless he finds Champions League football at a minimum this season, Roman Abramovic will be exercising his notoriously itchy trigger finger.