Former Italy defender Alessandro Costacurta thinks that Chelsea have signed one of, if not the best manager in the world. The Italian has stolen the hearts of all fans at Euro 2016 with his huge amount of passion and wonderfully dictated tactics which have brought a big togetherness to an all-round weakened Italian side which was predicted to fall short in the tournament.

However, Conte led the team into the quarter finals, beating the likes of Spain on the way. They were only knocked out on penalties to Germany, a very cruel end to their fantastic campaign.

Conte will now take a break before heading to Stamford Bridge where he will hope to turn their fortunes around and bring the Blues back into the forefront of the title race. Costacurta believes that the English side have arguably the best coach in the world.

“The most important thing in football is the coach,” Costacurta said.

“Conte is, for me, the best coach in the world and I think it showed in Euro 2016.”

“It’s about Conte, because the Italian players are not so good, they are not world class players, but the coach is. For me Conte is the best in the world.”

“Entering the competition, the team was not so united, not very organised. After two or three games I think the team have improved.”

“Italian coaches always focus on tactics, it’s our speciality in Italy. We know the defensive way, but Conte brings something new in relation to going forward,” he added.

“Against Belgium and against Spain we were good in the transition and on the counter, with players attacking the box. It’s something new for Italian football.”

[Quotes via GazzettaWorld]