Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has revealed that his father made him to always show passion on the touchline during matches.
The Italian also revealed what his father told him after 4-1 lost to Watford earlier in the month and what he expects of him during the clash against Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Speaking in a news conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester United, Conte said that his family always encourage his touchline histrionics.
“They start to be worried when they don’t see me very active [during the match], because it means I’m not happy,” he admitted. “They don’t recognise me.
“My father watched the game against Watford and said, ‘I didn’t see you with the right anger, with the right passion. You finished the game with your voice [intact] — it’s not for you, this’.
“You must have passion in every game, if you play against Barcelona or with a low team. It doesn’t matter. Honestly I don’t think against Watford my passion was less. For sure it was a strange night for everyone, but I don’t think my passion was less.
“Maybe in the future when I become older, then for sure I have to try to stay more calm and be more relaxed in the game. But I think also this is my strength, to stay on the touchline and push my players, push myself.”
Speaking further, Conte gave credits to his father, Cosimino, for imbuing him with a love for football during the time they spent together at amateur side Juventina Lecce.
“He was the owner, he was the coach, he was the kitman [at Juventina],” a smiling Conte said of his father.
“I spent my life from the start on the pitch to follow the dream of my father.
“For this reason I think I have to thank him for the passion I have for this sport. I started very young [to love the game].”
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