Antonio Conte suffers in silence after a traumatic year in which he lost three friends

Antonio Conte is suffering in silence after a traumatic season that saw Tottenham’s manager say goodbye to three friends, but his assistant Cristian Stellini says he is as determined as ever to energize his club.

This season, Conte has had to deal with the deaths of Tottenham fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone aged 62, girlfriend Sinisa Mihajlovic aged 53 and former teammate Gianluca Vialli aged 58.

Stellini attended Tottenham’s press conference yesterday as Conte came to terms with the Vialli news, saying: “Antonio is a tough man. Perhaps this moment is more closed off to show his feelings.

Cristian Stellini (left) has claimed Antonio Conte is a ‘tough man’ after a traumatic year.

Conte (L) has lost several close friends this year, including former teammate Gianluca Vialli (R).

“About soccer? Yes (we speak). About the work? Absolutely. Talking about other things is more difficult. Maybe you don’t show yourself, or the silence is louder than words. We are in this moment.

“He doesn’t let the intensity drop. He can find new energy. Because that’s the type of man. This is Antonio.”

Vialli, who played with Conte at Juventus, passed away today at the age of 58

Stellini admitted that while it’s been difficult for Conte, he is determined to ‘energize the club’.