Chelsea boss Antonio Conte refuses to curb touchline passion despite Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s tantrum
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists he will not curb his touchline passion despite incurring the wrath of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho during his side’s 4-0 thrashing of the 20-time top-flight champions on Sunday.
Mourinho took exception to Conte gesticulating towards the Stamford Bridge crowd in order for them to show appreciation for a slick showing which propelled Chelsea into the top four.
The Blues travel to the London Stadium on Wednesday for a fourth round EFL Cup clash with West Ham and a fixture which has historically been a combustible affair. Regardless of circumstance, Conte is not prepared to overhaul is managerial approach.
“I think that everyone must show respect for me, for my work, for my job,” said Conte. “In every game I show myself, not only in one game. I have history and you can see my past, my behaviour.
“It’s normal. I’m a passionate man. I showed this in the past. I want to stay close with my players, to play with them and also in situations when we are suffering. But I always show respect for the opponent and my history shows this.”
Conte also hinted that a larger technical area, something akin to the vast space West Ham counterpart Slaven Bilic has at his disposal at the former Olympic Stadium, would be helpful given his taste for sideline antics.
“If I have to compare the technical area with Stamford Bridge then I’m happy, because Stamford Bridge is two metres and for me it’s very difficult,” he added. “I have to ask my club to try to change the technical area for me.”
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, meanwhile, has jumped to the defence of Chelsea rival Antonio Conte after his touchline methods irked former Stamford Bridge manager Mourinho.
“You have different people. When you are winning, your methods are good, on the touchline and in training. Some managers sit and watch the game and some are almost like they’re playing,” said Bilic.
“During the Chelsea v Manchester United game, I saw nothing wrong from Conte or nothing he did that he hasn’t done before at Juventus. He is very aggressive in a good way, coaching from the touchline.”