Antonio Conte has paid tribute to Tottenham fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone after his death last week.
The 61-year-old passed on Thursday in Naples after a short battle with leukemia.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Brighton v Tottenham, Conte said he is 'devastated by the pain' of the death just two days on from the news breaking.
'To find words for Gian Piero is very difficult at this moment,' said Conte.
'We are really devastated by the pain of what happened. Also because no one expected this situation. But sometimes you know life is not always positive situations.
'For this reason we have to cope in the best possible way because I know Gian Piero wanted to stay strong and continue to do our work in the way that he taught us.'
Ventrone joined Tottenham in November as part of Conte's coaching staff and, via the club website, 'became a hugely popular figure with players and staff'.
Tottenham will honour him during their game with Brighton on Saturday evening.
The players will warm up in t-shirts with the slogan ‘Always in our hearts - Gian Piero’ in both English and Italian.
In addition, the two teams will wear black armbands and there will be a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.
Further tributes to Ventrone are planned ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Italian, nicknamed The Marine for his punishing drills, was part of Italy's coaching staff when they won the 2006 World Cup.
He also held roles at Juventus, Catania, Jiangsu Suning, Guangzhou Evergrande and AC Ajaccio.
His methods came back under the spotlight this summer when, during pre-season in Seoul, Ventrone's trademark drill reduced Tottenham players to trembling physical wrecks.
segxxzmichael
1
Rest In Peace maestro!