Eric Dier sends gift of England shirt to family of Gian Piero Ventrone
Eric Dier sends heartfelt gift of England shirt to the family of late Tottenham coach Gian Piero Ventrone… crediting legendary fitness guru for helping him earn recall to Gareth Southgate’s squad
- Dier sent Gian Piero Ventrone’s family the England shirt he wore in September
- He said Ventrone played a defining role in his return to the international scene
- He was called up to the England team for their games against Italy and Germany
- Dier signed the shirt he wore against Italy in September and sent it as a tribute
Eric Dier sent Gian Piero Ventrone’s family the shirt he wore during England’s fixture with Italy in September, claiming the late fitness coach ‘helped’ him regain is place in the national side.
Dier said Ventrone – who passed away in October at the age of 61 following a short battle with leukaemia – played a defining role in his return to the international scene.
Dier said Ventrone’s input at Tottenham helped him earn his first England call-up since 2020 and insisted he would ‘carry Ventrone’s values with him every day’.
Eric Dier sent Gian Piero Ventrone’s family the shirt he wore during England’s fixture with Italy (Dier pictured playing against Italy for England)
Dier signed the England shirt he wore against Italy in September and sent it to Ventrone’s son, Ivan.
The message on the shirt credited Ventrone for helping him return to Gareth Southgate’s side – having recovered his first call-up in 18 months.
Dier wrote the following message on the jersey: ‘To the Ventrone family. Gian Piero helped me to wear this shirt again. I will carry his values every day with me. Best wishes, Eric.’
Dier was called-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for games against Italy and Germany
Dier previously said the Italian fitness coach would ‘live on’ in the Tottenham squad for the rest of their careers.
Speaking after Ventrone passed away, Dier said: ‘His work is going to live on now, in us, for the rest of this season and for everyone individually for the rest of our careers.
‘[To win something] would be the ultimate tribute. He gave all of himself to us every single day. So we need to try to do the same for him.’
Ventrone joined Tottenham in November as part of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff
Ventrone joined Tottenham in November as part of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff and became a hugely popular figure with players and staff.
Therefore, Tottenham decided to honour Ventrone before and during their Premier League clash against Brighton on October 8.
Spurs warmed up in t-shirts with the slogan ‘Always in our hearts – Gian Piero’ and wore black armbands during the game.
Additionally, Harry Kane pointed to the sky after giving Tottenham the lead in the first half, seemingly paying tribute to Ventrone.
While, captain Hugo Lloris paraded a shirt with ‘Gian Piero’ on in front of the away end, as fans sang ‘there’s only one Gian Piero’, after the full-time whistle.
Tottenham and Brighton players took part in a minute’s applause before their game in October
The shirts on show read ‘Always in our hearts, Gian Piero’ in both English and Italian (above)
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.
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