Antonio Conte admits last season “was very tough”, despite Chelsea’s title success, but insists he is committed to the Blues.

Conte guided Chelsea to Premier League glory in only his first season at the helm, but it came amidst constant speculation that he would return to Italy as his family did not join him in England.

However, the former Juventus and Italy boss has since signed an improved contract with the club, while his wife and children are now living with him.

Antonio Conte admits last season “was very tough”, despite Chelsea’s title success, but insists he is committed to the Blues.

Conte guided Chelsea to Premier League glory in only his first season at the helm, but it came amidst constant speculation that he would return to Italy as his family did not join him in England.

However, the former Juventus and Italy boss has since signed an improved contract with the club, while his wife and children are now living with him.

“After a tough season, it’s very important always to look back, to see the season and then to understand very well,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It was very important for me because it was my first season in England, a new country without my family, and it was important to understand my situation in all aspects, OK?

“For sure, I enjoyed the season in England and with Chelsea. But I must be honest, it was very tough for me and for my family.

“Sometimes when you win, you think that everything is easy, but it wasn’t to win and to have this type of season.

“Now I have decided with the club to continue our path. We found the right view about the future of this club.

“I repeat, we are a great club but we are in a moment where we can’t make a mistake because it’s very dangerous.

“We don’t have a lot of space to make mistakes. We need to improve and increase our squad to be something important for the present, and also for our future.

“For every manager, it is important to explain your idea. It’s very important that the club understand your idea and the club is ready also to work together, to try together, and to have this solid foundation. I can want this, but if I’m alone it’s very difficult to do this.

“For sure, my decision was always to stay with Chelsea and continue this work. But you know very well that our job is not simple and anything can happen during our path and our career.

“My desire, and the club’s, was to continue this work and, for this reason I renew a contract.

“Now it’s right to start to work together and it’s very important to know that there’s a lot of work to do.

“To stay another season without the family would be very hard, very difficult. My daughter is at an age when it’s very important to see her grow, to stay every day with her.

“And also with my wife, because she would be jealous for this. They are coming. My family is very important. I think it will show my commitment to the club, to this project and to try — I repeat — to build something important.

“When we finished last season and you were asking about my contract I told you that I have two years contract to go.

“And then I thought ‘this is the right way, to continue to give me motivation, to give the club motivation’.

“I don’t see any problem about this. And I’m happy with this new contract. The club recognised me and the job I did with the players last season.

“I’m happy, and I think it’s the same for the club. And we have time, eventually, to extend this contract.”

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