A sad day for all Spurs fans as the club’s fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone has sadly passed after a short battle with leukaemia.
One of the most renowned football fitness coaches in the world, the Italian was nicknamed the “Marine” due to his intense and gruelling fitness sessions.
He previously held roles at Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, GZ Evergrande and AC Ajaccio. Before joining Spurs last year as part of Antonio’s conte backroom staff.
The club has paid tribute to the Italian in a press release this morning:
“As loveable off the pitch as he was demanding on it, Gian Piero quickly became a hugely popular figure with players and staff.
He will be greatly missed by everyone at the Club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this impossibly sad time.”
Juventus, a club where he spent ten years at, has also paid tribute to the loved coach:
“We will always remember his discreet figure, his attention to detail, his philosophy of work, and above all what was perhaps his greatest talent: understanding how football (and therefore one of its fundamental components, physical and athletic endurance) was gradually entering a new era.”
Gian was much loved by all the players and staff at Spurs, especially Heung-Min Son who recently stated:
“He has been so helpful, giving me always a big hug in tough times and even great times he has always been next to me and every staff. Even today before we left the training ground, the hotel, we had a couple of minutes of having a nice conversation which made me really comfortable and really grateful.”
As reported by Alasdair Gold, Antonio Conte’s pre-match press conference has been cancelled after the sad passing of his friend and colleague.
RIP Gian Piero Ventrone
RIP Gian you made a difference to spurs players fitness, hope your methods will continue to be used at spurs.
Sixty one is far too young. RIP, mate.
Jesus, no age.
RIP fellow “Marine”