Tony
Cascarino says Chelsea will be getting a manager similar to Jose Mourinho if
Antonio Conte makes the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Conte, who is currently coach of the Italian national side, is the favourite
to become the permanent successor to Mourinho at the end of the season, with
interim boss Guus Hiddink expected to retire from coaching in the summer
despite a successful second spell in west London.
The former Juventus coach was reported in several of Wednesday's newspapers
to be in talks with the club and Cascarino told Sky Sports News HQ that
Conte is cut from the same cloth as Mourinho in demanding absolute loyalty
from his players.
"He's a discplinarian," he said. "There's the story where he challenged
Buffon because he was a minute late for a game when he was Juve boss.
"He sets standards, he's very Mourinho-like, he expects everyone to be on
board and total professionalism.
"I think that's what Chelsea are looking for and he will give them that, but
there's also a side to him like Mourinho that he can communicate with
players and get the best out of them and lift their levels.
"He's done brilliantly at Juventus and I think he's finding it difficult as
Italy coach because of the conflict between club and country."
"As a coach he's very flexible - he has played with three at the back, he
has played with a back four.
"He's a manager of the modern game, part of a new breed coming through that
are prepared to be flexible with their team."
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