Guus Hiddink confirms Antonio Conte visited Chelsea, and says he has a tough task in England.
There was controversy this week, as Conte was reported to have visited his future employers on Wednesday, something which the FIGC were unaware of.
Guus Hiddink confirms Antonio Conte visited Chelsea, and says he has a tough task in England.
There was controversy this week, as Conte was reported to have visited his future employers on Wednesday, something which the FIGC were unaware of.
The Italy CT insisted he had spent Wednesday with the Federation, and the current Chelsea boss says the visit was actually on Tuesday.
“He was presented on Monday, and there was also the request if he could come and meet and shake hands with the players,” Hiddink explained in his Press conference ahead of the Swansea game.
“I didn’t have any obstruction with that. So everyone met, very briefly, very short. That was Tuesday.”
Conte will take over at Stamford Bridge after this summer’s European Championship, and the interim manager warns he faces a challenge to revitalise the squad.
“That’s an extra complication. When I came here, going back in history, in 2009 there was also this transition, but at that time the team was firm regarding the personalities.
“There were players who knew the culture of English football, but especially the culture of the club, like Frank Lampard, John Terry, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba.
“Now it’s a bit different, and it’s not easy.
“Attracting players without Champions League football? That depends on the project. I don’t like to talk much about this word, ‘project’, but if you can provide the players with a plan for next season and what comes after that, there might be an attraction for a lot of players to go down that road.
“The CV of a manager can also attract players. Conte is showing he wants to come here knowing Chelsea will not play Champions League next year, but is showing that commitment.
“That might attract players as well.
“When you look at his record, he made a good spell in Juventus getting the title in Italy. So it’s always good because this club is always keen to play to win and for titles.
“He is equipped and able, and he’s used to the pressure, which is always on in big clubs to get titles.
“I had a short meeting with him about general things, football, Italy, the past … generally about the club and the work we’ve done in the past few months. And that was it.”