West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has defended and praised Antonio Conte’s touchline antics against Manchester United.
Chelsea chief Conte, who clashed with Jose Mourinho in Chelsea’s 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge, reportedly angered the Manchester United boss for his over- excited celebrations in Sunday’s victory.
“You don’t celebrate like that at 4-0, you can do it at 1-0, otherwise it’s humiliating for us,” Mourinho reportedly told Conte just after hearing the final whistle.
But Bilic, who is in preparations to play Conte’s Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, has no issues with passion from managers on the sideline.
“I know what Jose thought of that, but I don’t think that’s the reason Conte did it, to humiliate United,” said Bilic.
“He just wanted the crowd to praise the team because they were winning, and for what they had done in the game.
“From my point of view, I don’t think he wanted to humiliate United,” the Irons boss added.
“On the touchline, many managers just sit and watch the game, others are like they are playing.
“You have to be yourself.
“During that game I saw nothing wrong from Conte or nothing he hasn’t done since he started.
“It was typical Conte, aggressive, but in a good way.”
By Drew Darbyshire (@DarbySports)
