Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wants his players to share the same passion he has for the game as he gears up for his first season in English football.
Conte took over at Chelsea earlier this summer after finishing his spell in charge of the Italian national team at Euro 2016.
During the tournament in France, in which he reached the quarter-finals, Conte showcased the passion and energy on the sidelines that Chelsea fans will get used to seeing on a regular basis this season.
The Italian raged when things weren’t going well and ran around celebrating after Italy scored, even kicking a stray ball into the stands at one point, and he’s urged his players to share in his passion for the game.
“For me, it’s not right to get angry. But I always have an intensive relationship with my players, very strong, a great link, great passion,” Conte said, via the Daily Mirror.
“Sometimes during the game or training session I can shout at them, but I shout only to improve the situation.
“I think that I will have a very intensive relationship with my players, but it takes time. We need to get to know each other first.
“I love to create a link with my team. That’s what I want. I want to see the players with great passion. I will try to transfer my passion on to the players. I want to see them with the passion that I have.”
Conte starts his Premier League campaign as Chelsea manager at home to West Ham United next weekend. The Italian won Serie A three years in a row with Juventus before taking on the Italian national team job and will hope to replicate that success in England.
With the Italian giants, in their first title triumph, he led them to an unbeaten season after finishing out of the European spots the year before so his situation now currently mirrors the one previously at Juve.
Since Conte’s success with the Italians, they have continued their domination of Serie A, winning it five years in a row and even lifting the Coppa Italia in each of the last two seasons.
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