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Tottenham Hotspur manager, Antonio Conte, is set for some more time away from the dugout after doctors in Italy have advised him to rest at home until he has made a full recovery from his recent operation.
The former Chelsea boss underwent a complicated procedure to remove his gallbladder two weeks ago in Italy and missed Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Manchester City on the 5th of February. The 53-year-old returned to the bench for the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City last weekend and was once again in the dugout for the 1-0 defeat to AC Milan on Tuesday night.
However, after the game, Conte met with the doctors who advised him that he should still be resting and recovering. In an Instagram post, he admitted that he had “underestimated the procedure.” He added:
“My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans brought me to anticipate my comeback on the field. The procedure wasn’t a routine operation but sudden and a serious emergency.
My body has suffered my impatience, and now I am forced to stop until my entire recovery. Who knows me, understands what a burden this is for me, but is necessary. Come on you Spurs!”
Stellini to temporarily take over
In Conte’s absence, his assistant Cristian Stellini will take over first-team responsibilities immediately and will remain in the post until Conte has fully recovered. Stellini’s first game will be against West Ham United this weekend.
Tottenham fans will be hoping that Stellini can guide their team to more victories after he successfully lead them to a fantastic victory over Manchester City less than two weeks ago. The Italian coach was confirmed for the position via a statement released by Tottenham earlier today. It read:
“Health is the most important consideration. Following a routine post-operation check in Italy yesterday, Antonio Conte will remain at his family home to recover from his recent surgery. Everyone at the club wishes him well. Cristian Stellini will assume first-team duties.”
Get well soon, Antonio 💙 pic.twitter.com/pYPLxLwdrw
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 16, 2023
A busy period ahead for the club
Conte’s absence comes ahead of one of the busiest periods of the season for the club. After the Premier League game against West Ham this weekend, the club faces three of its biggest games of the season as they look to try and keep their hopes of a successful season alive.
First, they’ll play Chelsea in the Premier League in a crunch game in the race for the top four, before taking on Sheffield United in the last 16 of the FA Cup. A week after their clash against the Blades, they will welcome AC Milan to North London for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. It isn’t inconceivable that Conte misses all of these games.
Spurs know that they need to win the second leg against AC Milan in order to progress through to the quarter-finals of the tournament and Conte will be desperate to be around for it. After the first leg, the Italian said:
“There are two games at this stage and I am sure that in the second game at our stadium, our fans will create an important atmosphere to push and overcome Milan.”
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