Conte ‘proud’ of Italy’s managerial production line
Antonio Conte is two wins away from becoming the fourth different Italian coach in just seven years to win the Premier League.
Tottenham’s defeat by West Ham on Friday means the Chelsea manager is on the verge of emulating his countrymen Carlo Ancelotti, at Chelsea, Roberto Mancini, formerly of Manchester City, and Leicester City’s miracle man of last season, Claudio Ranieri. Little wonder Conte feels the support of Italian fans who have come to take a keen interest in the English top flight.
Ahead of tomorrow’s game at home to Middlesbrough, he said: “It’s logical to be proud. Last season I supported Claudio Ranieri to win the title. In Italy we celebrated this win in a great way.
“Every coach is different. For sure in England, I looked at the past and saw that many Italian managers won the title. In Italy there is a good school, but honestly, when you arrive and face this league, you must change your mind in a lot of things and adapt very quickly.”
With Ancelotti having won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Massimo Carrera leading in Russia with Spartak Moscow, the Italian managerial production line is an example to be followed.
“It’s right to have joy if an Italian manager wins the title,” said Conte. “I think it’s great, and a lot of people should have joy for this.”