Antonio
Conte’s touchline behaviour was to prove he will not be influenced by “tough
guy” Jose Mourinho, says the Premier League Daily panel.
The pair clashed for the second time this season in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup
quarter-final win over Manchester United on Monday night, with Conte
frustrated by what he said was United's persistent fouling of his players.
Former Chelsea manager Mourinho did not shake Conte's hand at the final
whistle, after both managers had to be separated following a late challenge
by Antonio Valencia on Marcos Alonso in the first half, and former Celtic
striker Andy Walker believes Mourinho's predecessor was out to prove he will
not pander to the United boss.
Asked if Conte has got under Mourinho's skin, Walker said: "Yeah I think he
is. I think you saw by Conte's actions last night he didn't want to come
across as a meek individual where the big tough guy Jose Mourinho is having
a word in his ear and trying to tell him how to manage.
"That's why you saw him being so demonstrative last night. Let's not forget
both managers were screaming last night at the referee for various yellow
cards on players."
Walker also believes the tension between both bosses is fuelling the drama
around their next Premier League meeting on April 16, live on Sky Sports
1HD.
"It's added a bit of spice, not that it needed it," he added. "I think the
managers, the way they go about their business, it just adds to the whole
event."
Conte was particularly frustrated by United's treatment of Eden Hazard,
saying in his post-match press conference it was "impossible" for his player
to play football for 20-25 minutes of the game because he was repeatedly
kicked, and Walker believes Mourinho has no excuse to argue with Conte's
claims.
"What Conte was saying was just an echo of what Jose Mourinho was saying a
couple of years ago, that he feared for the future of Eden Hazard because,
when he was the Chelsea manager, everyone was targeting Hazard," said
Walker.
"I think if United had taken their chances last night it could have been a
different story. But it's not the only way to beat Chelsea, to kick their
best players. I think Man United showed last night that they're capable of a
really good, sound defensive display and they hit them on the break with
[Marcus] Rashford."
Mourinho, who won the FA Cup during his first spell in charge of Chelsea,
was subjected to jeers from the Stamford Bridge crowd on Monday night, but
maintained his collection of trophies at the club means "Judas is number
one".
Walker believes Mourinho, who held up three fingers to remind Chelsea
supporters of the three Premier League titles he won during his two terms as
the club's manager, was right to hit back at fans.
"Without Mourinho, Chelsea would be nowhere," Walker said. "He's no Judas.
It was the players who turned against him and wanted him out the door.
"The relationships had broken down with the senior players so Mourinho did
the right thing, he got out. He's at a club now where he knows he can be as,
if not more successful, than Chelsea. So he's right to remind the Chelsea
fans, who want to give him criticism, what he did for the club.
"It's tribal in England. It's Man United, one of your rivals, and all the
history they have. Chelsea created their own history under Mourinho, and
that's why they hated it, the fact that Mourinho is now at United, and could
hurt them.
"Maybe not this season but next season if he puts together a squad capable
of taking the title away from Chelsea and dominating in Europe again."
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