Coaching teams, particularly at Chelsea, are finely balanced affairs.
As the Roman Abramovich era has developed at the club, every new manager has tended to be allowed to bring in his own people, but the club has always ensured Chelsea men are in the mix.
Since 2011, Steve Holland has been the main Chelsea man: as he has assisted six Blues bosses, and even once taken the reins himself.
But with the FA chasing the coach for a possible full time position as Gareth Southgate's England assistant, what effect will it have in Conte's set-up.
Holland joined Chelsea as reserve team manager in 2009, picking up many plaudits on the way to winning the Premier Reserve League for the club the following season.
He was one of two Chelsea names parachuted in to assist Andre Villas-Boas following his appointment, and he became assistant manager when the other - Roberto Di Matteo – took over after the inexperienced Portuguese was fired.
Another season, another interim: and Holland was number two to Rafael Benitez; and he maintained that position in Jose Mournho's larger imported coaching team for two and a half seasons.
It was then that he had his moment in charge: taking control of the side for the first game after Mourinho's second dismissal, a spirited win over Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
Afterwards he gave an emotional press conference, talking about losing a friend with whom he would always be close, and the need for the team to regroup.
His level-headedness here was respected and rewarded: as he continued in the role under Guus Hiddink, and now Antonio Conte.
But what does Holland actually do at Chelsea?
There is an uncomplimentary accusation by some that assistant managers are simply there to put the cones out at training: and while that may be true of some, there really are no passengers at Chelsea.
Day to day relationships between management and players are the stock-in-trade of assistant managers, but Holland also has a close involvement in setting tactics, and the nuts and bolts of preparation for the match.
He is highly respected within the trade for his abilities, and was named the 2015 FA first team coach of the year, by his qualified coaching peers.
He has worked with the England team since 2013, on a part time basis, spending international breaks with the national side.
Should he make that move a permanent full time one, what will that mean for Chelsea?
First, they will lose a by now highly experienced coach who has worked under a series of top managers.
Holland has provided continuity throughout the last five years, at a time of much change, and knows both the club and its players well.
They will also lose a balancing factor: one whose experience and ideas are not from the same place as Conte's imported coaching staff, and who can challenge their methods with the benefit of local knowledge.
But, should Holland make the move, Chelsea would gain a sympathetic face within the permanent England management: a man who knows both their first team, and developing English players, and may be willing to offer chances at international level to the latter.
Chelsea are said to be very keen to keep Holland; but also unwilling to stand in his way should the opportunity of a lifetime to be full time England assistant manager present itself.
Chelsea know better than most that no coach is irreplaceable, and there are of course a number of major club figures presently at a loose end who might be able to start that coaching journey.
Michael Ballack, in particular, seems to be doing much cosying-up to club and fans right now.
Holland would be a big loss, but with Conte looking well established already at Stamford Bridge, this could actually provide the impetus for a new and even exciting development within the club's management structure.
