Antonio Conte Won’t Coach Tottenham Again Until Full Recovery

The manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte, will not participate in Sunday’s Premier League match against West Ham and won’t start working again until he has “fully healed” after undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder.

Antonio Conte, a 53-year-old Italian tactician, underwent the procedure in Italy two weeks ago.

However, Conte returned the next week, just before the 4-1 loss at Leicester, and he oversaw Tuesday’s Champions League loss against AC Milan.

In an Instagram post, the Italian coach admitted that he had “underestimated the procedure.”

Conte continued by saying that he had returned too soon because of his “huge sense of responsibility for the club, the players, the staff, and the supporters.”

“Sadly, I underestimated the procedure, which wasn’t a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency,” the coach noted.

“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 it is necessary.”

With matches against West Ham United on Sunday (February 19, 16:30 GMT), Chelsea on February 26 (13:30 GMT), and a trip to Sheffield United in the fifth round of the FA Cup (March 1, 19:55 GMT), Tottenham did not mention when they anticipate Conte to resume his duties.

In Conte’s absence, his assistant, Cristian Stellini, 47, who oversaw Tottenham’s 1-0 triumph against Manchester City on February 5, will be in charge of the club until further notice.

“Following a routine post-operation check in Italy yesterday, Antonio Conte will remain at his family home to recover from his recent surgery”, a statement from Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday read.

“Everyone at the club wishes him well. Cristian Stellini will assume first-team duties.”