Antonio Conte prescribed "work, work, work" in order to lift Chelsea back to the top table of English and European football.

Former Juventus head coach Conte addressed the media for the first time as Chelsea boss on Thursday, 24 hours on from taking his maiden training session with the club.

He takes the reins from veteran tactician Guus Hiddink, who shepherded Chelsea to a 10th-place finish long after their title defence unravelled last season – Jose Mourinho was sacked in December as the club hovered improbably above the relegation zone.

"We know that this year won't be easy for us," said Conte, who was named as Mourinho's long-term successor in April, before overseeing Italy's run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. 

"If we think of last season, 10th position; last season was a bad season. We know that – me, the players, the club. We must think of the present, to work very hard every day every week, every month to be something more important.

"The fans need to find a team ready to fight until the end to compete with the other teams. I know that there is only one team who can win the title but we must stay there at the end of the season to fight for the title.

"Chelsea belongs in the Champions League and we must [return and] stay there.

"The most important message is I like to work – I know only this road to win and to get this club back very soon to play in the Champions League and win the title.

"I know only this verb – work, work and work I am happy because I found the right attitude [at Chelsea's training ground] in Cobham, I am very happy for this."