Cristian Stellini To Temporarily Replace Unwell Tottenham Manager Antonio Conte

Cristian Stellini will temporarily replace unwell Tottenham manager Antonio Conte by taking charge of games and training. Conte is having gallbladder surgery.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that manager Antonio Conte is set for a period of absence from work after becoming "unwell with severe abdominal pain".

Conte has been diagnosed with cholecystitis and was booked in for surgery to have his gallbladder removed on Wednesday.

A statement released by Tottenham on Wednesday morning said that Conte "will return following a period of recuperation."

It added: "Everyone at the Club wishes him well."

Antonio Conte recently became unwell with severe abdominal pain.

Following a diagnosis of cholecystitis, he will be undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder today and will return following a period of recuperation.

Everyone at the Club wishes him well 💙 pic.twitter.com/h91LfV8lD9

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 1, 2023

There was no mention in the statement of how long Conte will be absent for.

But the NHS website suggests that after gallbladder removal surgery "it can take around 3 to 4 weeks to return to your normal activities, and 6 to 8 weeks if you have a more manual job".

Tottenham training will be led by assistant manager Cristian Stellini during Conte's time off.

Stellini will also lead the team on matchdays.

Italian Stellini took charge of Spurs in their Champions League game against Marseille in November when Conte was suspended.

Cristian Stellini (right) will take charge of Tottenham while Antonio Conte (left) recovers from gallbladder removal surgery :: IMAGO/NurPhoto/Action Foto Sport