Why Juventus Needs Antonio Conte for the Long Run

Juventus are entering a crucial stage of the Antonio Conte era; it is the third year since the 44-year-old took charge of the Bianconeri, and it is an appropriate time to assess his work and what the future holds for the club legend.

Conte returned Juve to domestic dominance, as well as prominence on the European stage, having guided the Old Lady to the quarter-finals of last season's Champions League.

There is ample evidence to suggest that Juve must continue to show faith in Conte moving forward and create a dynasty at the Juventus Stadium that can last over a decade.

No manager has lasted more than three seasons in charge at the Turin-based club since Marcelo Lippi in the 1990s, so such longevity that Conte is on the verge of achieving is somewhat unheard of at the Serie A champions.

It is imperative that Juve build a sustainable and realistic strategy moving forward with Conte central to this plan.

He has proven his worth in Serie A by mastering the 3-5-2 system and by developing a solid defence and a formidable midfield that can not only dominate matches, but withstand consistent pressure from the opposition as well.

The transformation of the team from 2011 to the present has been gradual, but you can see that Conte is not a man who is ever satisfied with the success that he has achieved.

It is positive then, that Conte foresees areas of the side that can improve, notably the attack, where he has received the backing of the board.

Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente were brought in to upgrade an area of the side that was less than stellar, and it is as interesting to note that Angelo Ogbonna was signed to keep an already-dominant defence on their toes as Juve continue to progress.

A European challenge is imperative for Juve, with just two previous successes, despite a record 29 scudetti—whereas rivals Milan have just 18 scudetti—but the Rossoneri have triumphed seven times on the European stage.

Conte may maintain defensive principles, but he is actively encouraging a greater pace and tempo to the style of the team, which will encourage the board, who wholly believe in "lo stile juve" (the Juve style).

With rival clubs chopping and changing managers around them and unable to uphold any consistency in the team due to numerous changes in the playing staff, Conte should be applauded for the core that he has maintained during this successful run.

Not only does the same core of players run through the spine of the side still, but the vast majority are Italian. That's an aspect Cesare Prandelli must admire and would surely welcome from other big sides who go abroad too often to strengthen their side.

Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio were already well accustomed to the traditions at Juve, but Conte has integrated experienced players such as Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli, as well as brought out the best in players such as Leonardo Bonucci, who had struggled to fulfill his potential before he arrived.

While Conte must prove that he can bring the side to the brink of a Champions League triumph, there must be a certain patience here, especially given the significant spending from foreign clubs.

With this in mind, it is realistic for Juve to expect at least one semi-final over the next two seasons, but anything more will be too much, too soon when you consider that the spending has been done within the financial constraints of the club.

Conte is still a relatively young manager with much to prove, but so far he has achieved plenty in a short space of time, and there is every reason to believe there is much more to come over the next few years.

Providing Juve support Conte, Juve can not only maintain their dominance, but eventually break through in the Champions League.