Sportskeeda Football Awards 2016: Manager of the Year 2016

#4 Antonio Conte: Total Score = 14 (Experts pick 4, Fans vote 4)

That’s the face of a man you DO NOT mess with

'I consider defeat to be a state of virtual death'. No one has described their own playing style quite so succinctly. Antonio Conte’s charges play the game in full pelt, fully aware of the fact that if they do not, Conte will be waiting for them.

He dragged a very average Italian team to the quarterfinals of the European Championship – beating Spain comprehensively on the way – and only lost to the World Champions Germany on penalties. Losing to the German national team on penalties cannot be held against any side. His record of 56.4% Wins in 25 games for Italy (having lost 4) is admirable, while it is his revolution at Chelsea that has garnered him even greater accolades.

Taking over at a time when the Blues’ morale was in the pits, he struggled for the first few games, but once he found his feet – and his ideal starting XI – he has been unbeatable. 11 games in fact, since Chelsea have tasted defeat (before today, 26^th Dec ‘16). A win % of 80 vindicates his methods, and it will take some stopping for the runaway leaders of the Premier League not to end up Champions next year.

Trust Andrea Pirlo to describe him perfectly - ”I love the man, I have nothing but respect and admiration for him. If you let him get on with things and do his methods, then you will have a team that plays attractive football and will, without a doubt, be successful. His life is football. It is a good job Elisabetta is such an understanding wife, because he has two wives – Elisabetta and football.”

If Chelsea’s recent successes are anything to go by, he’s still got the Force within him.