Conte was the surprise choice to take over at Juventus in the summer of 2011 after the club had slipped out of contention for Europe, in need of a major rebuilding project.

GettyImages

Antonio Conte: Juventus legend

He began his playing career within the Lecce youth system, before making his Serie A debut with the Salentini first-team squad in 1985. Signed by Juventus in 1992, the midfielder enjoyed many successful seasons at the club alternating the captain's armband with fellow team-mate Alessandro Del Piero and went on to become one of the most revered and influential players in Juventus' history.

Although he played for the Italian national team from 1994-2000, the majority of his success would be found at Juve. Over the course of his thirteen-year career in Turin, Conte won five Scudetto titles (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003), one UEFA Cup (1993), and one UEFA Champions League when Juventus beat Ajax on penalties in the 1996 final.

Upon retiring as an Old Lady player in 2004, Conte was hired as an assistant coach for Siena alongside Luigi De Canio for the 2005-06 season.

He was subsequently appointed manager of Serie B side Arezzo in July of 2006 but was sacked three months later after a string of disappointing results. He was, however, reinstated to the Arezzo head coaching position on March 13, 2007 after his successor failed to improve on the team's dismal run of form. His second stint with the club didn't fare much better though, as Conte failed to turn around a sinking ship and Arezzo dropped down to Serie C1 on the final day of the season.

In December 2007 Bari appointed Conte to replace Giuseppe Materazzi for the second half of their 2007-08 Serie B campaign. It was here where Conte finally began to enjoy some managerial success, as Bari were crowned league champions the following season, winning promotion to Serie A.

Though rumours linking him with the Juventus manager job appeared, Conte agreed in principle to a contract extension with Bari, although it was rescinded by mutual consent shortly thereafter. Atalanta then came calling and appointed him to replace Angelo Gregucci as manager in September 2009, but the team struggled under his watch and Conte resigned from Orobici in January, leaving the club in 19th place.

He was appointed as Siena's new head coach the following May and saw immediate success, as he guided them to promotion for the 2011–12 Serie A season. However, the club were not able to stave off Juventus' advances and, after finishing a disappointing seventh in Serie A, the Old Lady hired Conte with the expectation that the Italian boss can return them to the top of the Italian and European football scene.

They didn't have to wait long as in his first season, Conte delivered another Serie A title and also managed to go the entire league campaign unbeaten as well.

Strengths: Having been a Juventus player for the vast majority of his career, Conte is beloved by the Bianconeri faithful, which should render the club's supporters more patient and therefore more willing to give him the necessary time to reinvigorate the squad. Conte is also known for his combative spirit.

Weaknesses: He has never made it a full season as a top tier manager, and the biggest Serie A club of which he has ever been in charge has been Atalanta.

Career high: Winning the Serie A title unbeaten in his first season at Juventus.

Career low: Two managerial spells at Arezzo within the same season, both of which contributed to the Amaranto going down to the lowly depths of Serie C1.

Tactics: While at Siena and Bari, Conte was known for employing a 4-4-2/4-2-4 system and he is expected to do the same at Juventus, whose more recent purchases the formation should benefit.

Quotes: "I say with sincerity and honesty, everything I got I earned with the sweat and commitment. I have never enjoyed special favours, I learned the full meaning of the word sacrifice. I think the fans appreciate my ways both on and off the field, with me they have always been really fantastic. In the hardest times they kept me close, showing warmth and friendliness." Antonio Conte, 2003.