---
title: "Conte’s reign has been immaculate says Alan Smith"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/03/03/contes-reign-immaculate-says-alan-smith/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Oliver Birch"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2017-03-03T12:25:28Z"
modified: "2017-03-03T12:25:28Z"
---

# Conte’s reign has been immaculate says Alan Smith

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith believes Antonio Conte has had a near perfect start to life at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea, and he’s got the players and fans buying into his managerial style.

The Italian took charge at the beginning of the season and, after a relatively shaky start, has guided Chelsea ten points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just 12 games remaining.

Conte’s successful first season in England was also recognised at the London Football Awards on Thursday evening, as the Blues boss picked up the London Manager of the Year Award.

![Clive Rose/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/645280888.jpg)

Speaking exclusively to Read Chelsea at the awards ceremony, Smith gave his view on just how well Conte has done this season.

> Well it’s been near immaculate really, the way he’s got his ideas across in a short space of time. Obviously we’ve all spoken about the change in formation but I think what you have to admire is his ability to form a cohesive unit, get the players to buy into what he wants and get them to work as hard as they are working.
>
> He’s an old school manager in many respects in that he won’t take any rubbish off of anyone and if somebody isn’t pulling their weight then he’ll pull them off the pitch. He’s obviously got a track record as a manager and as a player so people respect him, and I think a bit more of that is needed sometimes in the modern game.

Conte’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation has seen Chelsea go on a club record and joint-league record of 13 consecutive victories in the league before a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at the beginning of January, and the Blues are currently on a run of 12 consecutive home victories in all competitions.

And Smith believes those victories have helped the players buy into Conte’s philosophy and his firm style of management.

![John Phillips/Getty Images Entertainment](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/647236924.jpg)

> I think winning games always helps when you have that sort of style because when you’re demanding this and demanding that and you’re forcing the players to work hard in training all week but then you’re drawing or losing at the weekend, the players can begin to lose heart.
>
> But if you’re winning, you’re at the top of the table and you can see the silverware in sight you buy into it, you buy into what the manager wants and that is what is happening.

Smith admires the hard work Conte puts in both on and off the training ground, and when asked whether he believes Conte’s work rate inspires the players and motivates them to work hard, the Sky Sports pundit said:

> It definitely does, because if he isn’t working hard then the players aren’t going to work hard are they. He puts in quite a few hours and gives his heart and soul to it, and that can be infectious.

The former England striker also enjoys the passion the Chelsea boss shows on the touchline and believes he has a special relationship with the fans already.

> He’s enjoying himself at Chelsea and I admire the way he’s worked hard to make an effort to learn English which you don’t see with some others managers, and I’m sure the Chelsea fans appreciate that as well.
>
> Certainly his attitude on the touchline is something the fans love and there seems to be a really close bond already.

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/589922074.jpg)

It was a [successful](https://readchelsea.com/2017/03/03/successful-night-chelsea-london-football-awards/) night for the Blues at the London Football Awards, an event which raises money for the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to create “uplifting and unforgettable Special Days,” Willow.

N’Golo Kante was named as the Premier League Player of the Year, seeing off competition from teammate Diego Costa, while former Blue Frank Lampard was given the Outstanding Contribution to London Football award, won by Chelsea captain John Terry last year.