Jose Mourinho should be given a warm welcome when the Manchester United manager returns to Chelsea, said Antonio Conte.
Conte took over in July after Guus Hiddink had stepped in when Mourinho was fired last season as Chelsea’s league title defence faltered in spectacular fashion. Over two spells at Chelsea, Mourinho won three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup to become the club’s most successful ever manager. However, his impressive record at the club could not prevent him getting the sack in December 2015 after losing nine of 16 league games.
Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal as United manager in the summer and will take his side to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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“I have great respect for him,” Conte said.
“He won three championships and I think he was an important man for the club.
“I think he deserves a good reception, because he wrote with the club, with his players, with the staff part of the story of this club.
“When you win three championships, you remain in the heart of the fans. It’s normal.
“After the whistle, he becomes like the other players of Manchester United an enemy, in the sporting aspect.”
Conte, who guided Italy to the last eight of Euro 2016 before losing to Germany in a penalty shootout, will face Mourinho with Chelsea two points better off than United in fifth spot.
Table-topping Manchester City only have a three point advantage over Chelsea while United, who were soundly beaten by their city rivals in the derby earlier this season, trail by five.
Conte, who established himself among the top tier of club managers at Juventus a side he also played with distinction for, dismissed claims United would be at a disadvantage because they have played twice this week — a 0-0 draw with Liverpool and then a comfortable 4-1 victory over Fenerbahce on Thursday in the Europa League.
“I don’t want this type of advantage,” Conte, 47, said.
“This means you don’t play in Champions League or Europa League. I think Chelsea must play during the week, this type of tournament.”
Conte, who last week laughed off rumours about him being on the verge of the sack, will continue to deploy three central defenders which he installed two matches ago after some weak defensive displays.
Those two games have seen Chelsea not concede a goal.
“I’m pleased, because after many games that we conceded two and sometimes three goals — and I repeat this is not right, this is not a good way for Chelsea to concede so many goals — we change it, we change the system of play,” Conte said.
“We know we must continue to work and progress in this way.
“I’m pleased because in this week I’m seeing the right commitment, the right work rate for the players. I see players that trust in this system, in this type of work.”
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