On reception for Man United boss Joes Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte believes his predecessor José Mourinho deserves a positive reception on Sunday when he returns to Chelsea for the first time since being sacked last year.
Conte was appointed long-term successor to Mourinho in the summer, after the Portuguese boss was dismissed for a second time by Roman Abramovich in December 2015.
The Italian believes Mourinho’s gilded years in west London warrant acknowledgment by the home fans when he arrives with his Manchester United side.
“I think he deserves a good reception because he wrote, with the club, with his players, with the staff, a part of the story of this club,” Conte said.
“After the whistle, he becomes, like the players of Manchester United, an enemy—but only in the sporting aspect. I have great respect for him.”
Conte expects the fixture to be similar to United’s last outing in the Premier League, a 0-0 stalemate with Liverpool on Monday evening.
“I watched the game,” he added. “It was a tough game, a tactical game. It will be the same on Sunday.”
Conte will, however, have the option of bringing captain John Terry back into the team on Sunday after his recovery from injury, but Brazilian winger Willian is a doubt.
Omnisport/ Newsweek
