The iconic Italy midfielder has backed his compatriot to take the Blues job and insists he will be a success if he is given the freedom to make his own decisions
Andrea Pirlo believes Antonio Conte would be a success if he was appointed Chelsea manager but he has warned that the current Italy manager is not someone to be messed with.
Conte has been heavily linked with the Stamford Bridge post in recent weeks, and Goal understands that he is close to agreeing a three-year deal to replace Guus Hiddink in west London.
The 46-year-old was the man who took Pirlo to Juventus in 2011, and the two went on to win three Serie A titles together at the club.
Pirlo, now at New York City, has revealed his "love" for his fellow Italian, and believes he will be successful if he is given the freedom to make his own decisions at Stamford Bridge.
"I love the man, I have nothing but respect and admiration for him. I know if he takes a job, any job, it will have to be on his terms," he told the Mirror.
"The players he wants to sign, those he wants to get rid of, the style he wants to play.
"If you sign him as your coach and then as the owner you want to start making decisions, he is not the coach for you.
"If you let him get on with things and do his methods, then you will have a team that plays attractive football and will, without doubt, be successful."
However, Pirlo has warned the Chelsea players - and owner Roman Abramovich - that there is a "beast" within Conte.
"There is a beast in him. I have been in his dressing room at half-time when we have been winning, but he comes in and will be throwing full bottles of water around because of a mistake we made or because he feels we should be further ahead," he said.
"His life is football. I know he is up until 3-4am in the morning, studying videos, looking at errors, studying the opposition of the next game. It is a good job Elisabetta is such an understanding wife, and if he takes the Chelsea job then she will have plenty of time to enjoy London, because he has two wives – Elisabetta and football.
"I even know he will turn on the bedroom lights in the middle of the night because he has thought of something he needs to write down – you will not find a more understanding woman than her.
"I have played under a lot of great managers but I can say that Conte is a genius. Like all men who possess genius, he is a little mad.
"The man can be a beast, a dressing room when he is angry is one of the most dangerous places you can be."
- Goal