Tottenham fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone has tragically passed away at the age of 62.
The Italian joined Spurs in 2021 as part of Antonio Conte's backroom team.
Known as 'The Marine', Ventrone was popular with the Tottenham players
The 62-year-old passed away on Thursday morning suddenly of
Ventrone followed Italian compatriot Antonio Conte to Tottenham in 2021
Ventrone died suddenly of fulminant leukaemia on Thursday morning.
A Spurs statement read: "We are devastated to announce that fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone has passed away.
"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."
Nicknamed 'The Marine' due to his intense training, the Naples native spent ten years at Juventus between 1994 and 2004.
During his time with the Old Lady, he worked under the likes of Marcello Lippi and Carlo Ancelotti.
Ventrone spent ten years at Juventus from 1994-2004
He then made the move to France to become Ajaccio's assistant manager, while he also enjoyed time in China at Jiangsu Suning and Guangzhou Evergrande.
Conte came calling for his compatriot in late 2021 to bring him to England when he succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo in the Spurs dugout.
Ventrone was held in great respect by the Tottenham squad, with Son Heung-min recently praising him after his hat-trick against Leicester.
The pair were seen embracing after the 6-2 victory over the Foxes last month.
Son Heung-min praised Ventrone after his hat-trick against Leicester last month
Son said: "I have a really, really good relationship with Gian Piero.
"So obviously his English is not perfect, sometimes he is coming with his phone and translating into English from Italian.
"It means a lot. Not as football-wise, I think life-wise he gives me so much advice, which I am really grateful.
"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."
It has been stated that his funeral will take place in Naples on Sunday afternoon.
More to follow...
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