HARRY KANE celebrated his goal this evening by pointing to the sky in tribute of Gian Piero Ventrone, after the Tottenham coach’s tragic death aged 61 this week.
The popular fitness guru died on Thursday after a short battle with acute leukaemia.
Spurs paid tribute to Ventrone before their clash with Brighton, wearing T-shirts reading “Always in our hearts Gian Piero” during the warm-up.
Both teams observed a minute’s silence before the match, and wore black armbands during the game.
Spurs’ players and manager Antonio Conte were visibly moved during the silence – having been left devastated by Ventrone’s death.
After giving his side a 22nd minute lead, Kane pointed to the sky in an emotional nod to Ventrone.
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After Spurs saw out a 1-0 win, captain Hugo Lloris held a shirt with Gian Piero’s name on it aloft towards the travelling Tottenham fans.
The Spurs faithful responded by waving Italian flags and singing “One Gian Piero, there’s only one Gian Piero”.
Conte had known the man affectionately dubbed “The Marine” since his playing days at Juventus in the 1990s, where Ventrone helped inspire great success including their 1996 Champions League win.
Ventrone arrived at Spurs alongside Conte in November last year, quickly building up an incredibly strong rapport with the players.
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A number of Tottenham stars paid tribute to him after his passing, with Son Heung-min writing on social media: “The world has lost a truly special person. Gian Piero, you helped me get through the hardest times, and together we celebrated some some incredible memories.
“I cannot put in enough words my gratitude to you, and how much I owe to you. We will miss you so, so much.
“Thank you for everything my friend. I am sending all of my love to you and all of your family.”
Kane, 29, wrote: “A truly remarkable man. I’m devastated by the passing of our coach Gian Piero. My love and strength is with his family at this time.
“His words and wisdom will live on with me for the rest of my life and I’m just grateful I had the opportunity to spend time with him. Rest in peace Prof.”
Richarlison was another to pay tribute, writing: “Since I arrived in Tottenham, Gian has been a huge inspiration to me.
“He always said that I would help him a lot during the season, that I was a warrior and even that my hair looked like his since I dyed it white
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“But who helped me was him… and much more than he can imagine. Especially at the beginning, when he said I shouldn’t lower my head under any circumstances, no matter what.
“Today we woke up with this terrible news of his passing and we are all devastated. But we will continue to play for you, my friend, who taught us to never give up! Thank you so much and rest in peace!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
