Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed the two coaches that have had the most influence on his successful managerial career to date.
The Italian made a name for himself as something of a tactical geniusin spells managing Italy and Juventus, and his switch to a 3-4-3 to rectify new club Chelsea's problems has worked immediately.
Quoted byFootball Italia, Conte credited his father as well as coachesCarlo Mazzone andEugenio Fascetti.
My father certainly passed something on to me," he said. "He was the President, Coach and everything really of this local side, Juventino Lecce. I was playing in the Lecce youth academy and spent my spare time coaching my little brother's team, so I always had that desire to be a Coach and pass something on.�
Eugenio Fascetti gave him his Serie Adebut for Lecce at the age of just 16, and the now 78-year old was one of Conte's biggest tactical influences.
He was famous for ˜organised chaos.' In that period, he was very innovative. I still hear from him and he is someone who really gave me so much. When someone lets you debut at the age of 16, it shows great faith.
Fascetti gave Antonio Cassano his debut as well. When you talk about a phenomenon who grew up on the streets, you're talking about Cassano. He could do things with the ball that were simply extraordinary “ on another planet to my skills!
I still speak to Carlo Mazzone too. He made me grow up through suffering, as he used the stick as well as the carrot. He taught me so much and when I'm asked about the Coaches I worked with, I will never forget Fascetti and Mazzone, as I continue to carry with me their teachings.�