Conte was named new Napoli coach this week.
“I grew up in the streets and that teaches you immediately that there are difficulties in life and nobody else will help you to resolve them,” said Conte to the FIGC website.
“You have to figure out how to look after yourself and that you cannot count on anyone or anything.”
The former midfielder got his first call-up to the Italy squad from Arrigo Sacchi in 1994 and was part of the World Cup squad.
“I loved Sacchi’s passion for football, he was a hard worker and left nothing to chance. I tried to adopt all those characteristics into my own career. He was obsessed, but for me obsession in football is a positive thing.
"We all have a journey in life. I left Juventus, went into the Nazionale that gave me strong emotions, then in England to win the Premier League and FA Cup.
“In every situation there might be regrets, but what followed was exciting and wonderful too.”