Is he joking? Antonio Conte thinks he is a democratic manager

He wants his players to „eat grass and spit blood“, he informs them they are not needed anymore by text messages, he prefers old school „the carrot and the stick“ management style and he advises his players how and when they should have sex.

Yes, he is Antonio Conte, Inter Milan coach, but he is also a democratic manager. At least he thinks he is. The former Italian National team coach was very happy after the Parma win, in which he was able to successfully implement players like Cristian Eriksen and Alexis Sanchez, who found themselves on the bench for a long period of time.

“I think that I am a very democratic coach, so I give nothing for free and I am patient to a certain degree. We have a team and the individual comes after that, so everyone has to think in that sense if they want to get along with me. I’ve found a group of lads who are eager and willing to fight for each other. The players know I am democratic, I choose who deserves it and they all feel they are involved in this project“ said Conte after the game.

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Alexis Sanchez was when given the opportunity to replace Martinez, and he scored two goals.

“As I said, he is in the best condition we’ve ever seen him at the moment. We were patient with him too. He knows only hard work will take him to a certain level, and now Romelu and Lautaro know that Sanchez is right behind them too. It’s important for us to create these situations with competition for places. I’ve never had any choices to make here. I just had to pray and hope nobody got injured. Now I actually have some choice and it’s a wonderful feeling.

Another example is Achraf Hakimi, who played a good game in Parma and got a passionate „Bravo“ from his coach after one tackle late in the match.

„He was fantastic in stoppages, he went to press the Parma player and push him out of a danger zone, so I wanted to grab him by the head and say Bravo! These players are working really hard, showing application and learning the lessons. Hakimi is an example, one of many, as at times he would attack and forget to defend, so he cooled his heels on the bench for a few games. He learned. Darmian replaced Hakimi last week and I think he was Man of the Match against Genoa“

But his „democratic“ principles are well known in the football world. Former Inter goalkeeper Tommaso Berni spent one season with Conte.

“He is a top coach who always gives everything and, therefore, he wants the same from his players. When the results come, everything is quiet, but tension grows when they are missing. Conte is definitely a tough coach, not someone you would play five-a-side football with. He always demands the maximum from each one of his players because he does the same, every time”

During his time in Chelsea, Conte also had issues with certain players. For example, to told Douglas Costa he is not in his plans via text message, while Willan posted a picture of the entire Blues squad and backroom team on the Wembley pitch with the trophy - but completely covered the image of Conte. The Italian acknowledged he is the firm believer of the „carrot and a stick“ type of management, like his former coaches Fascetti and Mazzone.

„They used the carrot and the stick with me. I brought this type of management with me to use with my players. Sometimes you must use the stick, and sometimes you must use the carrot“ explained „democratic“ Conte while at Chelsea.

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He also had advice for his players about off-field activities, mainly, about sex.

"During the season, I advise my players to have sex for short periods and with the minimum of effort. And they better use positions where they are under their partners. And preferably, with their wives, because if with others, well, that needs extra action" he once told L'Equipe.