Gian Piero Ventrone dies: Tottenham coach passes away aged 61

Tottenham coach Gian Piero Ventrone has died of leukaemia aged 61.

Antonio Conte’s fitness guru, who first earned the nicknamed ‘The Marine’ in Italy due to his tough training regimes, joined Tottenham as the manager’s right-hand man in 2021. 

After being taken ill, Ventrone was taken to the Fatebenefratelli hospital in Naples before suddenly passing away on Thursday.

Spurs are now mourning the loss of their coach and the funeral will be on Sunday at 3pm.

The club released the following statement on Thursday: ‘We are devastated to announce that fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone has passed away.

‘The 61-year-old joined the Club in November, 2021, as part of Antonio Conte’s backroom staff, having previously held roles at Juventus, Catania, JS Suning, GZ Evergrande and AC Ajaccio.

‘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, where Ventrone spent 10 glorious years between 1994 and 2004, also mourned the loss of their former coach.

The Italian club said in their tribute: ‘One of Juve’s “historic” names has passed away.

‘Gian Piero Ventrone left us at the age of only 61: he worked for many seasons as a Juventus athletic trainer, from 1994 to 1999, helping, together with Mister Lippi, to build and take care of a Juve that has won everything. in Italy and in Europe.

‘Ventrone then returned to Turin from 2001 to 2004, enriching his (and our) palmares with other victories.

‘An innovative method, a treatment of the physical condition inspired by modern criteria, which has taught in Italy and abroad: Ventrone was, always with Lippi, on the staff of the Italy World Champion 2006, and has continued to enrich his career of important experiences, in France, China and England, where he lived his latest adventures.

‘We will always remember his discreet figure, his attention to detail, his work philosophy, and above all what perhaps was his greatest talent: understanding how football (and therefore one of its fundamental components, physical and athletic ) was gradually entering a new era.

‘A new era which, in part, contributed to writing.

‘Goodbye, Gian Piero.’

The 61-year-old regularly performed his trademark drill this summer in Seoul, forcing the Spurs squad through gruelling session in 30-degree heat and 70 per cent humidity.

At times, the challenging sessions forced Tottenham stars such as Harry Kane to throw up from fatigue.

Right-back Matt Doherty told Sportsmail in July: ‘That’s pretty normal. Even the week before in London was along those lines. 

‘I don’t know if there will be any teams fitter than us. This is hard, the hardest pre-season I’ve had. It’s not like anything I’ve done before. But you get a great satisfaction once the session is over. 

‘Your mind has been tortured in the middle of it but when it’s done you feel proud and you go to bed thinking, “Yeah, I’ve worked hard today”. You’re just thinking, “Don’t quit”. Even if you crawl over the line or you have to jog or walk towards the end. 

Tottenham coach Gian Piero Ventrone died suddenly of leukaemia aged 61 on Thursday

Ventrone – picture here alongside his daughter – joined the north London club in 2021

‘It’s that determination the manager has instilled in us to keep going and never quit.’

His intense training regimes 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.

Ventrone was respected dearly amongst the Spurs players, with Son Heung-min admitting he was ‘really comfortable and really grateful’ following a conversation with coach ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Leicester last month.

The winger went on to score a sensational hat-trick against the Foxes, having previously struggled for goals this campaign.

The fitness guru had a pivotal chat with Son Heung-min ahead of Spurs’ clash against Leicester