Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has explained his latest absence from the dugout as he aims “to further and fully recover” from gallbladder surgery.
Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, who took charge of the 1-0 win over Manchester City on February 5, will oversee tomorrow’s pre-match press conference and the visit of West Ham on Sunday with Conte remaining in Italy.
The club said Conte’s recovery would now be assessed day by day, with no timeframe on when he would return to work again.
Despite the doctor’s recommendation that Conte remain at home in Turin until today, he was back on the touchline for the 4-1 defeat by Leicester last weekend and again at the San Siro.
And now Conte says he will remain at home with family until he has fully recovered.
"My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans brought me to anticipate my comeback on [the] field. Sadly I underestimated the procedure, which wasn't a routine operation, but a sudden and 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 it is necessary. Come on you Spurs!"
