'I Hope To Emulate him, He Has A Winning Mentality' - Conte Talks About Mourinho

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, wants to emulate his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, who he admits is 'in the heart' of Chelsea fans.

Mourinho whose side will pay visit to Stamford Bridge in Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final, won three Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup in two spells as Chelsea manager.

Antonio Conte is on a course to claim the Premier League title in his first season and it seems United are standing in the way of a possible league and FA Cup double, an achievement which has evaded Mourinho to add to his silverwares. 

Desspite the fact that Mourinho is a rival, Conte asked that there should be no animosity towards the Portuguese.

“For sure, I hope in the future to try to emulate his wins here,” Conte said.

“I know very well he’s in the heart of Chelsea’s fans. It’s great this because he deserves this.

“I think Jose Mourinho wrote a good part of the history of Chelsea. It’s important, always, not to forget this.

“I have great respect for him because he’s a winner. I like his mentality. He has a winning mentality.

“For sure, he’s one of the best in the world and, here, he did a great job. I think every single fan must respect him.”

Jose Mourinho’s biggest Premier League loss was dished out on his return to Stamford Bridge with United last October, when Conte’s Blues won 4-0.

Afterwards, Mourinho rebuked Conte for geeing up the home crowd when Chelsea led by four goals, which he reportedly described it as “humiliating”.

The Chelsea boss insisted on Friday that he would not tone down his exuberance, had faced Mourinho only once prior to this season, in a pre-season friendly when he was boss of Bari and the United boss was at Inter Milan. Bari lost 2-0.

After making changes in earlier FA Cup rounds, Antonio Conte hinted he would select his first-choice line-up for the visit of United as Chelsea’s next game, at Stoke in the Premier League, is five days later.

“I saw that, when you arrive at this level of the FA Cup, our championship stops to play FA Cup,” Conte said.

“I want to make the best decision for the game against United. I don’t see the necessity to rest someone.”