Hazard explains the difference between Mourinho and Conte

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard compares the different treatments he got under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

In a revealing insight into his time at Chelsea, Eden Hazard shared some intriguing details about his time at Chelsea under two of the club's most high-profile managers, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. 

Hazard, known for his electrifying performances on the pitch, offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics that shaped his approach to training and match preparation on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by his former Chelsea teammate John Mikel Obi. 

Mourinho's Protective Approach

Hazard highlighted the unique relationship he shared with Mourinho, emphasising the Portuguese manager's protective stance towards him during training sessions. Mourinho, recognising Hazard's pivotal role in the team, explicitly instructed teammates to refrain from tackling the Belgian star aggressively.

 "He asked me to do my job, and with Jose, you know you have to do your job. In training, Jose made sure nobody kicked me. He says don't kick Eden," Hazard recounted, underscoring the special treatment that underscored his importance to the team's success.

Conte's Demanding Regime

Conversely, Hazard's experience under Antonio Conte was markedly different, particularly regarding the Italian's rigorous training methods. Despite leading Chelsea to significant triumphs, including a Premier League title, Hazard candidly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for Conte's demanding training sessions. 

"There are types of training I don't enjoy. If you ask me to play a game in training, I will play. The only thing I don't like is when you say I should do two-hour tactics, one hour in the gym,” Hazard explained, revealing a clash in philosophies between his natural playing style and Conte's structured approach.

When probed about his laid-back training attitude and perceived lack of effort, Hazard offered a straightforward rationale, emphasising his preference to conserve energy for matchdays rather than exhaust himself in training. 

Despite the challenges, Hazard identified his tenure under Conte as his most successful period at Chelsea, a testament to the complex and often contradictory nature of professional sports. "I think my best time at Chelsea was under Antonio Conte,” Hazard said, only to humorously add, "I did not enjoy his training at all."

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