Antonio Conte to Chelsea: Andrea Pirlo warns against Conte’s ‘dangerous’ streak

The 46-year-old is poised to take over at Stamford Bridge

Samuel Lovett
Saturday 27 February 2016 15:08 GMT
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Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte (2009 Getty Images)

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With Antonio Conte expected to accept a three-year deal as Cheslea’s manager, Andrea Pirlo has sounded a word of caution for the Blues.

The Italian has spent the last five years playing under Conte for either Juventus or Italy, and could be deemed an authority on the 46-year-old manager.

Together the paid lifted three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus.

“I have played under a lot of great managers,” said Pirlo. “But I can say that Conte is a genius. Like all men who possess genius, he is a little mad.

“The man can be a beast, a dressing room when he is angry is one of the most dangerous places you can be.”

“I have been in his dressing room at half-time when we have been winning, but he comes in and will be throwing full bottles of water around because of a mistake we made or because he feels we should be further ahead.”

Pirlo has also suggested that the hard-hitting, no-nonsense manager will not be prepared to compromise on his methods.

He said: “I know if he takes a job, any job, it will have to be on his terms…The players he wants to sign, those he wants to get rid of, the style he wants to play.

“If you sign him as your coach and then as the owner you want to start making ­decisions, he is not the coach for you.

“If you let him get on with things and do his methods, then you will have a team that plays attractive football and will, without doubt, be successful.”

Given Conte’s fiery temperament it begs the question as to how he will fit into the Chelsea hierarchy, if he were to make the move, and what sort of relationship he’ll form with Roman Abramovich who has a record of interfering in managerial matters.

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