LONDON -- Antonio Conte has said he feels more settled in London now that he is living with his family, after admitting that he "suffered a lot" without them in his first season at Chelsea.
Many of the reports claiming Conte was set to leave Chelsea last season were based on the fact that his wife and daughter remained in Italy, though they were frequently present for matches at Stamford Bridge and joined the 48-year-old on the pitch as the Blues celebrated winning the Premier League title in May.
Conte spoke publicly of missing both several times last season, but after confirming on Friday that they are now living in a house in Cobham as a family, he added that he is very happy they will now get to share the "fantastic experience" of life in London with him.
Asked if the move has improved his frame of mind, Conte said: "Yes, for sure. For me to have my family with me is very important. Last season, honestly, I suffered a lot because when you arrive in a new country and you are alone and know that your family don't stay here it is not simple.
"This season I am very happy because they are with me, my daughter and wife, and for us it is a fantastic experience. I think that this experience for my daughter is incredible and a great gift."
Conte has begun driving himself since returning to London this summer after travelling to and from training with one of his assistant coaches last season, and he said the presence of his wife and daughter has allowed him to broaden his experience of England.
"Last season every day there was my assistant coach," he added. "We lived very close and we preferred to go [to Cobham] together every day with the car, and after training I preferred to stay at home or take a taxi to go to a restaurant.
"This season I am driving here. Last season was difficult because when you are alone, there was only the work. Now there is my job and when I go to my house [I'm] with my daughter and wife.
"We try also to take the car and visit this area [Cobham] and sometimes to go to London or Kingston to discover a new restaurant. Yesterday [Thursday] with Carlo [Cudicini] we went to a Brazilian restaurant."
Despite the personal challenge of living away from his family Conte still managed to lead Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in England, and he said he never allowed the situation to affect his job.
"My work is always the same," he continued. "It is worse for my family because last season they were very far. Instead this season we are together and my wife and my daughter live the same feeling, if we win, we draw, we lose.
"For my family it is more difficult now [if Chelsea lose]," he added with a smile. "It was better last season to live very far, [and feel] my feeling only through the phone [when Chelsea lost], but I am happy that they stay here with me."