Antonio Conte says reuniting Chelsea's fractured team-spirit was the key to their charge to the Premier League title.
Conte's side were crowned champions on Friday as a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion wrapped up the title with two games to play.
Michy Batshuayi's 82nd minute winner after coming off the bench was the latest example of Conte's remarkable impact since the Italian took charge last year.
When Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge, he found a squad ripped apart following the mutiny that led to Jose Mourinho's sacking last season.
But the former Juventus and Italy boss skillfully soothed the fragile egos and has been repaid with a memorable march to the title.
“It wasn't easy for me to arrive in England and try different habits, a different language and inherit players after a bad season,” Conte said.
“This is a great achievement for the players. I thank them for their commitment and work rate.
“They show me a great attitude to try to do something great this season.”
Conte's midas touch was most evident in his switch to a three-man defensive formation following defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in September.
“That decision changed our season. We had to change and find a new suit for our team. In my mind there was this option to play a 3-4-3 because I knew I had the players to do that,” Conte said.
Chelsea reeled off 13 successive wins after the change and, despite a brief wobble with defeats against Crystal Palace and Manchester United, they coasted to the title in a no-nonsense style befitting their intense boss.
The respect Conte is held in by his players was clear to see as each one of them hugged him after the final whistle at the Hawthorns before joining together to throw him into the air in a joyous scene in front of Chelsea's supporters.
“Every game I feel like I have played with my players. I show my passion and my will, my desire to stay with my players in every moment of the game. This is me,” Conte said.
“In the present, in the past, I stay with my players in positive and negative situations. We won this title together.”
All that's left for Conte now is to top off his incredible debut season by winning the FA Cup final against Arsenal to clinch the double in two weeks time.
“We were not lucky, we did a great job. It's important to rest. It is a great season but now we can win the FA Cup,” he said.
Conte sets sights on FA
Even as he nursed a thick lip and lamented his sodden suit amid the mayhem of Chelsea's Premier League title celebrations, Antonio Conte was already targeting his next trophy bid.
The Chelsea manager said his players should enjoy the success they clinched with a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday to give him glory in his first season in charge.
But the Italian now has his eyes on completing the Double with victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 27.
"I think that now it's very important to enjoy this moment and celebrate this win because to win in England is not easy," Conte told reporters at The Hawthorns.
"It's important for me and also my players because don't forget that last season was a bad season for the club, the players and the fans.
"Only one year later, to celebrate this win in a league where there are big, big teams with great players and great managers, for me it's important to celebrate now.
"I think that we have also another target to try to reach because we worked very hard to reach the final of the FA Cup and then it's important to prepare in the right way for next season.
“This is a dream that has come true. For sure this is a dream.”
Conte hurt his lip during a joyous melee with his fellow coaches after Michy Batshuayi's late winning goal and was forced to change clothes after being sprayed with Champagne in the dressing room.
He was then dragged out of his post-match media conference by celebrating players David Luiz and Diego Costa, but not before pinpointing the key moment in his side's season.
That came in September, when he responded to back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal by implementing the three-man defensive system that served him so well in his three Serie A successes with Juventus.
'New philosophy'
"Against Arsenal the game was frustrating for me because I didn't see anything of my work, of my idea of football," said the 47-year-old, who described his suit as a "disaster" after he was soaked by his players.
"And in that moment it was frustrating for me and I found the strength to change, to take responsibility, to change system and find a new suit for these players.
"It was the key moment for us because every single player found in this system the best for them.
"If you asked me if in my first season I would have this type of finale, I don't know because our season did not start in the right way with many problems.
"When you arrive after a bad season when the team were 10th, there is not only one problem. There are a lot of problems and to find the right solution quickly wasn't easy.
"For this I want to thank my players because they trusted in new work and a new philosophy. I want to thank the club because they had faith in me and to repay the club is very important."
West Brom frustrated Chelsea for 82 minutes until substitute Batshuayi became the visitors' unlikely hero, converting Cesar Azpilicueta's cross from close range.
Home manager Tony Pulis was pleased with the efforts of his players.
"We wanted to make it a tough night. We didn't want them coming to town and just rolling us over," said Pulis.
"Full credit to the players. It was a proper match. It's disappointing for us, but you've got to give Chelsea, Antonio and his coaching staff great credit for what they've achieved this year."
