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The end of Antonio Conte's career in Chelsea has been a long draw, but it should be remembered that he has improved his reputation during his time in the Premier League, writes Adam Bate.
In the summer of 2016 season was sold as the great managerial confrontation of the game. Pep Guardiola arrived in the Premier League. Jose Mourinho was back with Manchester United. It was the first full season of Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool, great things were predicted for Tottenham by Mauricio Pochettino, and there was always Arsene Wenger.
But the season belonged to Antonio Conte.
It was a total triumph, the title obtained with two games to spare. Chelsea won 30 of its 38 matches – a new record at the time. They won 13 in a row at one point, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process. Conte not only showed his motivational skills but also his tactical sense as his Chelsea team became the first to win the Premier League with a 3-4-3 formation.
Few people thought it was possible. In fact, none of Sky Sports' experts announced to Chelsea that he would win the title that season. Most had them outside the first four. He was described as a "monster job" for Conte and that too had been the point of view of outgoing interim manager Guus Hiddink, the man who had moved the club away from the drop zone in a 10th place safely .
I think Chelsea is in a transition period, "said Hiddink after the club bid farewell to the Champions League with the defeat of Paris Saint-Germain
" They have to see how they go and find the lost ground. Chelsea was, that's right. Chelsea must consider its short-term future and how to handle the future.
Tale ignored these concerns. His intensity drew the players and his tactical ideas gave them something to believe. The battle to put Chelsea back into the top four has turned into a title procession. Mourinho was humbled 4-0 when he returned to Stamford Bridge with Manchester United. Manchester City's Guardiola was beaten at home and out.
Everything that feels long ago now. Conte shares with his FA Cup success, failing to hide the bad shape of the Premier League team. Once again, the club manages to miss the football of the Champions League. Again, there is talk of a review of the team before we can hope to compete with the best in the country and abroad.
Conte must take its share of the responsibility for this situation.
Mistakes have been made and not all can be pbaded on to the Chelsea chain of command. Despite all the frustrations caused by Diego Costa, he had been the top scorer in each of the club's last two wins and the way he was defeated felt awkwardly executed to say the least.
Recruitment was mixed. There were nine newcomers last year but only three were in the team for the FA Cup final victory. The fact that four signatures were played in Italy and four others were presented by other Premier League clubs suggests that these names were not new to Conte. But he never gave the impression that he was impressed.
Even the tactical brilliance that had characterized his first season at the club was closely scrutinized. The move to 3-5-2 training, sacrificing width and spreading Willian, did not work. Neither the 3-4-3 which had been so successful at the start. Had the influence of Nemanja Matic been underestimated? Tiemoue Bakayoko's transition was far from perfect.
Lack of confidence in Michy Batshuayi was also questioned when the striker quickly scored five goals in his first fortnight at Borussia Dortmund. Man management was seen as a strength, but relations with key players seemed to deteriorate in its second season, Willian's response to the FA Cup highlighting this point
. The complaints about the investment made its release almost inevitable even before the closing of the window last summer.
Supporters continued to sing his name but he tarnished his reputation somewhat with his obvious discontent. The goal of "avoiding a season of Mourinho" was avoided last term – but just right.
An instinctively combative character ended up looking resigned and probably more than a little aggrieved. At least he had to bow squeezing a trophy – a piece of silverware to add weight to his claim that he remains a "serial winner" as a manager. This was not enough for Chelsea. In truth, it was probably not enough for Conte either.
From his point of view, he is the coach who was right Guardiola and Mourinho, even though he started to be disadvantaged and that he was denied funds. His qualities he would have hoped to have received financial support to repeat the feat and – late – show what he was able to do on the European stage too.
This chance did not come to Chelsea. But Conte leaves the evidence that it can successfully lead outside of Italy. He goes on to show that his skills are transferable. And perhaps most importantly, he leaves while being able to say with pride that when the big showdown of 2016 has arrived, it is he who won the title.
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