Tottenham’s fitness coach dies at 61

Post created on 12:23 pm

Tottenham’s fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone has died aged 61.

Ventrone, nicknamed ‘The Marine’ in Italy because of his rigorous training regimes, arrived at Spurs with Antonio Conte in November 2021.

Spurs confirmed his passing on Thursday and said “he will be greatly missed by everyone”.

He is reported to have died due to acute leukaemia.

Ventrone, the club statement reads, was “as loveable off the pitch as he was demanding on it” and “quickly became a hugely popular figure with the players and staff”.

Spurs have cancelled Thursday’s news conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Brighton.

The Italian was at Juventus from 1994 to 2004 – during which time Conte played for La Bianconeri – working under Marcelo Lippi and Carlo Ancelotti.

He has also worked for French club AC Ajaccio, Italian side Catania and in China for JS Suning and Guangzhou.

The Italian oversaw a complete overhaul of Tottenham’s fitness, with Conte’s side having ran more than any other team in the Premier League this season.