New Italy coach Antonio Conte is ready to lay down the law as he looks to build a successful team.

Conte held his first training session yesterday morning in Coverciano, Florence, since replacing Cesare Prandelli at the helm of the Azzurri outfit.

The former Juventus tactician will make his coaching debut with Italy in an international friendly against Holland in Bari on Thursday.

Italy begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign away to Norway five days later.

“Whoever arrives here must deserve to remain in the national team otherwise I will show no mercy to anyone,” Conte said to Italian TV station Rai Sport.

I want the players to focus on the job and not on other things like Twitter, electronic games or even joking around

“It’s better to lose one or two (players) and gain 25 rather than losing all of them. Talent alone doesn’t make you win unless you are (Diego) Maradona and (Leo) Messi.”

New Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was left out of Conte’s 27-man squad selection for the upcoming games.

Balotelli, who joined Liverpool from Milan for £16 million last month, is suspended for the qualifier against Norway after picking up two yellow cards at this summer’s World Cup.

However, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is also suspended, but has been included in Conte’s squad.

“I don’t need to send messages to anyone,” Conte said when asked about Balotelli.

“Those that know me know that I don’t hand gifts to anyone. Today we have this group but that’s not to say that those who are here will keep their places in the future.

“Whoever comes needs to know what to do and what they must do to keep their place.”

Conte has warned his players there will be no time for relaxation when wearing the Azzurri jersey.

“I want few distractions,” he said.

“I want the players to focus on the job and not on other things like Twitter, electronic games or even joking around. I was a player and there is a time for everything, moments in which you can have fun and others in which you have to be on the ball. I want my players to prove they can.”

Conte also confirmed that Andrea Pirlo will continue to play for the national team.

The Juventus veteran midfielder had been considering retiring from international duty following Italy’s first-round exit from the World Cup this summer.

“I have spoken to Andrea Pirlo,” Conte said.

“He is a combative player like (Juve’s Arturo) Vidal and he has given me his availability and that’s enough for me.”

Pirlo, 35, is currently sidelined for a month with a muscular injury.