Conte puts it on record just for Jose
ANTONIO CONTE has launched a staunch defence of his record as Chelsea manager and taken another swipe at his predecessor Jose Mourinho.
Conte is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this season after two years in charge, with his last game probably coming in a week’s time when his side meet Mourinho’s Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
The Italian, who won the title last year in his first season, has had a tough campaign this time round with constant wrangles with the club board and his side set to miss out on the top four unless a miracle occurs tomorrow.
Conte publicly insists that he will see out the final year of his £9.6 million-a-year contract but is adamant that Chelsea are in far better shape than when he took over from Mourinho in 2016.
Mourinho was sacked in December 2015 after a poor start to the season and, under interim boss Guus Hiddink, they slumped to a 10th-placed finish. This year, Chelsea look certain to finish fifth.
“Remember last season after a 10th place finish the year before, we won the league,” he said. “It was difficult. We worked very hard, but we won it after a 10th place finish. Now probably, you finish fifth and you start with an advantage compared to when you finish 10th.
“Two years ago, Chelsea ended the season 10th and were not in the FA Cup final, did not reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and were eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League.
“We have worked hard for two years to try to build something. We have done this. I’m very happy for last season. I’m very happy for this season. You learn in this job. If you are clever you continue to learn and improve yourself, to try and be better in the future.”
After the final, Conte is set for talks with owner Roman Abramovich and it is likely a deal will be made which sees the two go their separate ways, with Chelsea looking at Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann and Monaco supremo Leonardo Jardim as potential replacements.
But the Italian, who had said at the start of this campaign that he wanted to avoid a ‘Mourinho season,’ added: “I’m the last person to judge my work. Other people will judge our position. It’s for other people to see the situation, take the right evaluation after two years of work and understand what Chelsea’s position is now in the panoramic of football.
“I do my job. I trust in my work. This is the only important thing for me.
“For a second season in a row, we’re fighting to win something. Last season we won the league. This season
we have the possibility to win important trophy.” Chelsea travel to Newcastle tomorrow needing to win and hope Liverpool lose at home to Brighton to secure a Champions League spot. Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said: “We have to try to finish on a high because they deserve to do that and also the fans deserve to see the team winning the last game. “It has been a great season. At the beginning, we were thinking the target was to stay up and I can read about a lot of managers now saying, ‘Great because we are safe’, but we were safe five games before, so that is amazing. “For me, the key has been the unity, togetherness between fans, players, staff, everyone, and the work-rate of this group of players.” Benitez again gave nothing away about his future as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his contract. He would only say: “I think this week maybe there will be another conversation.” another