“It is two metres [wide] and, for me, it’s very difficult,” he said. “I have to ask my club to try to change the technical area.”

Conte will encounter the other extreme at West Ham with its running track circling the pitch and, amid warnings to fans about their behaviour and a pre-match alcohol ban, Conte does not see any need to curb his touchline demeanour.

His message to the Chelsea fans was also that he wants their passionate support. “Until now I always saw a fantastic atmosphere,” he said. “One reason that you want to work in England is for the atmosphere you breathe during the game. They must think only to stay behind us and to push us to win. If they [the fans] want, we can play with 12 players.”