Hiddink: Conte faces a difficult time at Chelsea

Chelsea's manager-in-waiting Antonio Conte, will face a difficult time settling into his new job at Stamford Bridge, according to interim boss Guus Hiddink. Speaking at a pre-match press conference before their game at Swansea City on 9 April, Hiddink said the lack of strong personalities at the club could make his job even more difficult.

"That's an extra complication," the Dutchman said. "When I came here the first time in 2009 the team was firm, regarding the personalities. The players knew the culture of English football and the club such as [Frank] Lampard, [John] Terry. Now it's a bit different and that won't be easy."

Hiddink has been an interim manager at Chelsea before. He took over from Luis Felipe Scolari in 2009, when Lampard, Terry and the likes of Didier Drogba and Peter Cech still dominated the team. Hiddink was still confident of Conte's credentials, though.

"I thought we had a game tomorrow but okay let's start with that subject," said Hiddink. "When you look at his record he had a good spell at Juventus where he won the title. That's always good because this club is always keen to play for titles.

"It's a big job regardless of the circumstances Chelsea have been in this year. He is equipped, able and used to the pressure which is always on at big clubs to win titles."

Hiddink met Conte when the Italian was introduced to the squad on 4 April, but didn't divulge what the two had spoken about.