Grief-stricken Antonio Conte pulls out of Tottenham press conference after death of Italy legend Gianluca Vialli
ANTONIO CONTE has pulled out of Tottenham’s press conference following the death of Gianluca Vialli.
The Italian manager was due to speak to the press ahead of Spurs‘ FA Cup tie against Portsmouth tomorrow.
However, Conte was a no-show following the announcement that Vialli had passed away at the age of 58.
He died after his pancreatic cancer returned in 2021 after he was given the all-clear in 2020.
Vialli continued to work until he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team last month.
The two Italians played together at Serie A side Juventus between 1992 and 1996.
However, they never played together for the Italian national team together, as Vialli had finished his international career before Conte’s debut.
They were both part of the successful Juventus side that won the UEFA Cup in 1993, the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia double in 1995, as well as the Champions League in 1996.
Vialli ended his time in Turin in 1996 when he moved to the Premier League Chelsea, where he would then become player-manager for a year.
It is another overlap in their careers as Conte also managed the Stamford Bridge side, taking charge in 2016 before he was sacked in 2018.
Conte is still expected on the touchline at Tottenham’s FA Cup clash with Portsmouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which will take place just 24 hours after Vialli’s death.
The 53-year-old manager will be hoping that his side can convert their Premier League form after they thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday evening.