Antonio Conte has instilled more than a winning mentality in his Chelsea side. He led by example to build a culture of class and character becoming of the Premier League’s best.
In the broad scope of the season, Chelsea’s win over Middlesbrough was just another win. Boro were just another casualty of Chelsea’s march to the title.
For Middlebrough and their fans, though, this game will linger. Chelsea’s comfortable, commanding win sealed their guests’ relegation to the Championship. Neither the players, staff nor fans will forget that pain. But thanks to Antonio Conte, they will also remember a gesture of pure class and character.
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After the final whistle Antonio Conte gave Middlesbrough coach Steve Agnew the customary hand-shake. Shortly after, though, Conte spoke again to Agnew and Agnew nodded his assent. Conte then shook hands and clapped the shoulder of nearly every Middlesbrough player and staff member on the pitch. He went to the away fans’ section and joined the Boro squad in saluting their travelling supporters.
Pundits and watchers could not remember any other time the winning coach acknowledged players and opposition fans in such a manner, particularly after a relegation match. For all that he has won, Conte is also familiar with losing. He knows what Middlesbrough endured at Chelsea’s hands.
"It’s important to celebrate the win, but also have great respect and to clap this type of situation. I think this situation can only happen in England. I don’t remember this in Italy, it’s very difficult to see. This is great. Football is a beautiful sport in the world. For this reason, I felt in my heart to go and clap the fans and also wish every single Middlesbrough player good luck for next season. – Chelsea FC"
Being gracious in defeat – even an upset – is a basic act of sportsmanship. Being gracious in victory – one that brings you within three points and five days of a title – is rare.
The contrast between Antonio Conte and his predecessor Jose Mourinho could not be starker. Mourinho would have been more likely to shake Agnew’s hand with minutes remaining and disappear down the tunnel before the whistle. Mourinho’s most notable moment of graciousness came when he visited Bradford City’s locker room after the League Two side dumped Chelsea from the League Cup.
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Jose Mourinho sniped at his players in the press. Soon after, they players sniped at each other in the locker room and the team split apart. Antonio Conte, on the other hand, praises his players in public. Instead of looking for excuses and blame, he personally absorbs the responsibility for any setbacks.
As a result, Conte’s example shows up in the squad. The team is more cohesive on and off the pitch than ever. The players are happy to be with each other and in Blue, whether at training, on the bench or on the town for a team dinner. They stand up for each other without question, whether it is Nathaniel Chalobah levelling Sergio Aguero, Kurt Zouma celebrating Nemanja Matic’s screamer or Gary Cahill handing off the captain’s armband to John Terry.
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Antonio Conte has not only shown Chelsea how to win, he has led them to be winners. A few more years of the Conte era will ingrain in Chelsea a culture of winning and character that will hopefully set the tone for the league and generations of players.