The former Juventus coach, who lead the Bianconeri to three successive Serie A titles, replaced Cesare Prandelli at the helm of the Azzurri following their dismal group stage exit at this year’s Mundial in Brazil.
And Conte, a former Italy international himself, feels the need to ring in the changes in order to bring back the glory days to the four-time World Cup winners.
“We have been static for too long, with too many words and little action,” the 45-year-old told a pre-match press conference.
“It’s time for a change. I read that in 2013 our championship had one of the highest average ages in Europe, almost 28.
“It’s true that our country isn’t good for young people and not just in football.”
Conte – a strict disciplinarian – highlighted some of the changes he will instil in the Italy camp as the new head coach.
“When we are in a training camp it won’t be open to the players’ families,” he said.
“If needed, we will have one hotel for the players and a separate one for the families.
“Concentration whilst training is vital. I want everything to be in place – after all, a match is only an hour-and-a-half long.”
Conte said he is still in a dream world after taking over as Italy boss.
“Every so often I think about it and tell myself that it’s like a film, I would never have imagined it - I hope that it also ends beautifully,” he said.
None of the last five Italy coaches have managed a win in their first game in charge, and having dropped seven players from the unsuccessful Italy squad that did battle in Brazil – including new Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli – Conte is hoping his new charges will deliver as he aims for victory in Thursday night’s friendly against the Dutch.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Daniele Padelli (Torino), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Davide Astori (AS Roma), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter), Mattia Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Florenzi (AS Roma), Emmanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Poli (AC Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Mattia Destro (AS Roma), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (Inter), Simone Zaza (Sassuolo)