Antonio Conte pulls out of Tottenham press conference after Gianluca Vialli dies

06 January 2023 , 12:13

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Antonio Conte sent his assistant manager to speak to the press (Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Antonio Conte pulled out of his Tottenham press conference on Friday following the death of his former teammate Gianluca Vialli.

Vialli passed away aged 58 on Friday after a five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Tributes have flooded in from around the football world for the Italian, who played for Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea before embarking on a career in management and the media.

Conte played alongside Vialli at Juventus between 1992 and 1996 and has been upset by the news of his death. A statement from Spurs read: "Following the sad passing of Gianluca Vialli, today’s press conference will be taken by Cristian Stellini."

Tottenham were among the clubs to offer their condolences following the announcement of Vialli's death of Friday morning. "Our thoughts and condolences are with the Vialli family at this impossibly sad time," the club wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Conte won Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League and UEFA Cup during four years in the same Juventus team as Vialli. The striker was a much-loved teammate during his time in Turin before moving on to represent Chelsea in the latter stages of his career.

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As a player and a manager, Vialli won two FA Cups, the Cup Winners' Cup, the League Cup, the European Super Cup and the Community Shield between 1996 and 2000 at Stamford Bridge. He scored 40 goals in just 88 games for the club, who paid tribute to his impact.

Gianluca Vialli was a member of Italy's coaching staff at Euro 2020 (Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

"You’ll be missed by so many," tweeted Chelsea shortly after Vialli's death was announced. "A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli."

On a sad day for football, Graeme Souness was among those to speak about Vialli. The former midfielder played alongside him at Sampdoria and had seen him when he was working on Italy's coaching staff at Euro 2020.

"Well, I'm no doctor,, but when I looked at him, I thought I saw a man who was still in the fight, when he was here during the Euros and they managed to win it," Souness told Sky Sports News in an emotional interview.

"And I think it's so typical of him, that he kept it very private, very personal and he took it on as I would expect him to take it on. It was his fight, he wanted to deal with it himself - he didn't want to burden other people with it."

"A great man, a great champion and fighter on the field and in life," was the message from Serie A side Udinese. "You left early, bloody early but you will always remain in our hearts with your unforgettable example and class. Ciao Gianluca."

"We are saddened by the passing of Gianluca Vialli, a great sportsman on and off the pitch," AC Milan said. "Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."

Felix Keith