Antonio, players and staff plant a tree for Gian Piero at Hotspur Way

There was a poignant moment for Antonio Conte, the players and staff ahead of training on Monday, as the Club planted a tree in memory of Gian Piero Ventrone.

Gian Piero, our much-loved fitness coach, sadly passed away on Thursday.

A key member of Antonio’s backroom staff, the pair’s relationship goes back almost 30 years to when Gian Piero was a trainer and Antonio a player at Juventus. Gian Piero arrived at Spurs with Antonio in November last year, and quickly forged relationships with the playing staff.

Today’s ceremony and the planting of an Italian Evergreen Oak near to the first team pitches provides us with a long-lasting tribute to Gian Piero and gave the players and staff the chance to pay their respects. There was a minute’s silence before Antonio and the players took turns to complete the planting of the tree by shovelling in the soil.

There will be further tributes to Gian Piero and our former striker John Duncan, who sadly passed away on Saturday, ahead of our UEFA Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening (8pm).