Tottenham boss Antonio Conte ‘is on the verge of hiring set-piece expert Gianni Vio’ – who helped mastermind Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph over England – with the Italian hoping to make his side more deadly to mount a title challenge
- Tottenham are reportedly on the cusp of luring set-piece expert Gianni Vio
- The 69-year-old has worked at Italy, AC Milan, Brentford, Leeds and Palermo
- He is believed to have designed 4,830 set-piece situations for Italy at Euro 2020
- Antonio Conte is keen to add Vio in an bid to improve Spurs’ set-piece success
- Spurs ended last season with just nine set-piece goals despite netting 69 in total
Tottenham are on the brink of adding set-piece expert Gianni Vio to Antonio Conte’s backroom staff, according to reports.
The 69-year-old played an instrumental role during Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020, which ended in a dramatic penalty shoot-out between England and the Azzurri at Wembley.
Having spent over 20 years mastering his craft, the technical coach reportedly created 4,830 unique dead-ball routines for Robert Mancini at the tournament.
Set-piece expert Gianni Vio (right) held top flight roles in Italy at Catania, Palermo and Milan
Spurs’ Antonio Conte is reportedly closing in on the 69-year-old in a bid to improve set-pieces
Head coach Conte is eager to improve Tottenham’s success from set-pieces and is closing in on Vio ahead of a title surge next campaign, according to The Athletic.
The north London club ranked in the bottom-half for set-piece goals scored last season, netting only nine times from dead ball situations.
By contrast, champions Manchester City and title-chasers Liverpool were the most prolific teams from set-pieces, scoring 22 and 19 respectively.
Vio, a former banker from Venice, began as an assistant coach in the lower leagues of Italian football and rose to take on top flight roles at Catania, Palermo and AC Milan.
Vio (left) has worked in England at Brentford and under Paul Heckingbottom (right) at Leeds
It is believed the coach devised 4,830 unique set-piece drills for winners Italy at Euro 2020
During his first Serie A match against Napoli in 2008, Catania won 3-0 and scored two goals from set-pieces, one from a well-worked free-kick and another from a corner.
Vio has also previously held spells in England with fellow Premier League outfits Brentford and Leeds.
Spurs have been busy in the transfer window so far this summer, signing Yves Bissouma for £25million from Brighton as well as Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster on free deals.
The Champions League qualifiers are also in pursuit of Everton forward Richarlison ahead of a potential £60m switch, although no deal has yet been finalised.
