tottenham Coach Gian Piero Ventrone has died of leukemia at the age of 61.
antonio conteThe fitness guru, who first earned the nickname ‘The Marine’ in Italy due to his harsh training regimens, joined Tottenham as the manager’s right-hand man in 2021.
After falling ill, Ventrone was taken to Fatebenefratelli hospital in Naples before he passed away suddenly on Thursday.
The Spurs are already mourning the loss of their coach and the funeral will be on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
The North London club subsequently decided to cancel their press conference with Conte on Thursday morning.
Tottenham released the following statement: “We are devastated to announce that fitness trainer Gian Piero Ventrone has passed away.
The 61-year-old joined the Club in November 2021, as part of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff, and has previously held positions at Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, GZ Evergrande and AC Ajaccio.
“As lovable off the pitch as he is demanding, Gian Piero quickly became a hugely popular figure with players and staff.
“He will be greatly missed by all at the Club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Juventus, where Ventrone spent 10 glorious years between 1994 and 2004, also mourned the loss of their former coach.
The Italian club said in his tribute: ‘One of the historic names of Juventus at the turn of the century, Gian Piero Ventrone, has left us at the age of 61.
‘Gian Piero worked as Juventus’ athletics coach from 1994 to 1999, helping Marcello Lippi build and nurture a Juve team that won everything in Italy and Europe.
“He returned to Turin from 2001 to 2004, enriching his trophy collection and ours with further victories.
‘He used innovative methods in physical conditioning inspired by modern criteria, which led the way in Italy and abroad.
‘A member of Lippi’s staff when Italy won the World Cup in 2006, he continued to enrich his career in France, China and England, where he worked before his passing.
Tottenham manager Gian Piero Ventrone (left) partnering Antonio Conte (right) in 2021
Ventrone – pictured here with his daughter – died of leukemia at the age of 61 on Thursday
“We will always remember his attention to detail, his philosophy of work and perhaps his greatest talent, the understanding that football, and especially the fundamental components of conditioning and athletics, were gradually entering a new era.
‘A new era that, in part, he helped write.
‘Ciao, Gian Piero.’
The 61-year-old regularly went through his signature training drill this summer in Seoul, forcing the Spurs team through grueling sessions in 30-degree heat and 70 percent humidity.
The 61-year-old is pictured here alongside his loving family on Christmas 2020.
Challenging routines sometimes forced Tottenham stars like Harry Kane to throw up from fatigue.
Right back Matt Doherty, who was the first Spurs player to tweet a tribute to the manager on Thursday, said sports mail in July: ‘That’s pretty normal. Even the previous week in London was in that line.
‘I don’t know if there will be teams fitter than us. This is tough, the toughest preseason I’ve ever had. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. But you get great satisfaction once the session is over.
‘Your mind has been tortured in the middle, but when you finish you feel proud and go to bed thinking: “Yes, I worked hard today”. You’re just thinking, “Don’t give up.” Even if you drag yourself over the line or have to jog or walk to the end.
He spent 10 years at Juventus coaching the likes of Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane.
Ventrone played an integral role at the Italian club, helping former Juventus boss Marcello Lippi.
He joined his Juventus players to celebrate the club’s Champions League triumph in 1996.
‘It’s that determination that the manager has instilled in us to keep going and never give up.
His intense training regimens have helped Conte’s side carve out a positive start to the Premier League this season, with Tottenham sitting third behind Manchester City and league leaders Arsenal.
Despite testing the Spurs’ stars, Doherty revealed that the players “absolutely love” Ventrone as a trainer and as a person.
He added: ‘It’s funny because normally when you have a fitness trainer like that who’s running you bad, you start to not like him, but we all absolutely love him.
We have so much respect for him that we do everything he tells us.
Son Heung-min also admitted Ventrone helped him feel “really comfortable and really grateful” ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Leicester last month.
The fitness guru had a great working relationship with Tottenham star Son Heung-min.
Ventrone – pictured here talking to Harry Kane – once made the Spurs star vomit in training
The South Korea international scored a sensational hat-trick against the Foxes, having struggled to score goals this campaign, and paid tribute to the Italian after the match.
“I have a very, very good relationship with Gian Piero,” Son revealed.
“Obviously his English isn’t perfect, sometimes he comes on his phone and translates into English from Italian.”
‘It means a lot. Not only in terms of football, I think that in terms of life he gives me so much advice, which I am very grateful for.
The coach poses for a photograph with Juventus’ star-studded squad during his 10-year spell.
He has been a great help, always giving me a big hug in difficult times and even in good times, he has always been by my side and with all the staff.
“Even today, before we left the training ground, the hotel, we had a couple of minutes of nice conversation that made me feel very comfortable and very grateful.”
After learning of Ventrone’s passing, Tottenham CCO Todd Kline wrote on Twitter: ‘Beyond sad news. GPV was a force of nature that had a positive impact on everyone he met.
I will miss our conversations on the road and his contagious positive attitude. Just a phenomenal human being. My thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Spurs captain Harry Kane joined the tributes, saying: ‘A truly extraordinary man. I am devastated by the passing of our coach Gian Piero.
‘My love and strength go out to his family at this time. His words and wisdom will live with me for the rest of my life and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend time with him. RIP Prof.’
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