Conte’s XI – the lowdown on the new Chelsea boss’ backroom team
New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made sweeping changes to the staff at Stamford Bridge this summer.
The beefed-up backroom team includes seven new faces, many of whom worked under Conte at his previous clubs or with the Italy team, and there’s a return for former Blues favourite Carlo Cudiciniin a dual role.
So who will be charged with whipping last season’s underachievers into next season’s title challengers – and what’s their background?
Assistant first-team coaches
Angelo Alessio Age: 51. Last job: Assistant manager, Italy.
A long-time friend of Conte’s, stretching back to their playing days in the Juventus midfield of the early 1990s. They were reunited, after 18 years, in 2010 when Conte invited Alessio – then a manager in the third tier – to be his number two at Serie B outfit Siena. He followed him to Juve and then the Italian national team, and now to west London.
Gianluca Conte Age: 44. Last job: Performance analyst, Italy.
Conte’s younger brother Gianluca also played for their hometown club, Lecce, although he made only a handful of Serie A appearances. He was given roles as an analyst by his sibling at Bari, Juventus and with Italy.
Steve Holland Age: 46. Last job: Assistant first-team coach, Chelsea.
Former Crewe academy director Holland continues in his role, and will work alongside Alessio and Conte. Coach Holland is highly regarded at Chelsea
Fitness coaches
Paolo Bertelli Age: 55. Last job: Fitness coach, Italy.
Brought in as a fitness coach at Juventus by Conte, when he took charge in 2011, having previously worked at Fiorentina, Venezia, Udinese and Roma. He went on to be part of Conte’s staff with the Italian national team and has followed him to England.
Julio Tous Age: 43. Last job: Head of strength and power training, Italy.
Tous also worked under Conte with Italy and at Juve, following a spell with the Spanish Swimming Federation. In 2004, he spent six months as head of strength and conditioning at Barcelona and was later a strength training consultant for Real Zaragoza and Sampdoria. He will also act as a performance analyst at Chelsea.
Chris Jones Age: 40. Last job: First-team fitness coach, Chelsea.
Has now spent 10 years at Stamford Bridge, having previously worked at Fulham’s academy. He was promoted to work with the first team in 2009.
Costantino Coratti Age: 48. Last job: Fitness coach, Italy.
Helped to drill Italy’s players into shape and is now new assistant fitness coach at Chelsea.
Tiberio Ancora Age: 50. Last job: Nutritionist, Italy.
Will work as a consultant personal trainer and nutritionist at Stamford Bridge. Another trusted confidante of Conte’s, having worked with him at Bari, Siena, Juventus and with Italy.
Club ambassador
Carlo Cudicini Age: 42. Last job: Player, Los Angeles Galaxy.
Returns to Stamford Bridge seven and a half years after he was sold to Tottenham. Will act as club ambassador but will also be an assistant to Conte, using his 10 years’ experience of Chelsea to help the new man settle in.
Goalkeeping coaches
Gianluca Spinelli Age: 49. Last job: Goalkeeping coach, Genoa.
Replaces Christophe Lollichon as the Blues’ head keeper coach, with the Frenchman likely to take on another role at the Bridge. Spinelli arrives from Genoa, where he spent 11 years, but is well-known to Conte having also worked with the national team.
Henrique Hilario Age: 40. Last job: Goalkeeping coach, Chelsea.