Former Tottenham Hotspur set-piece coach, Gianni Vio, has revealed that Harry Kane gave him a signed shirt as a gift after the final game of last season.
Set-piece specialist, Gianni Vio, spent last season putting his knowledge to good use for Tottenham in making the most of dead-ball situations, and the Italian had a profound effect.
Spurs ranked second in the Premier League for goals scored from set-pieces in the 2022/23 campaign, with 16 goals. Only Liverpool managed more, with 17 set-piece goals.
Vio’s compatriot, Antonio Conte, left the club at the back end of last season, but Vio remained in North London to assist Ryan Mason until the campaign was over.
A lot has changed at Hotspur Way since then. Ange Postecoglou is now in charge and has brought with him an exciting, attacking style of play, as well as assembling his own coaching staff.
According to Football.London, however, it seems Gianni Vio is not part of that new set-up. Apparently, no decision has officially been made, but it is thought the 70-year-old’s time with Spurs ‘has come to a close.’
Harry Kane gave Gianni Vio a gift last season
Another face missing from the Tottenham environment this season is Harry Kane. The legendary striker joined Bayern Munich earlier this month, but it is now revealed that he gave Gianni Vio a special gift at the end of last season.
Vio told The Athletic that, after Spurs’ final home game of last season against Brentford, Kane gave him a framed and signed shirt. Apparently, the gift is now hanging on the Italian’s wall at home.
The gesture is particularly notable as Kane actually scored a free-kick in that game against Brentford, which may well be down to the hard work Vio put in to help the players improve their set-pieces.
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Gianni Vio will be sorely missed at Tottenham this year, but hopefully the wisdom he imparted last year will stick with the players. You have to wonder whether Kane’s gift was because he knew Vio was leaving, or because he had a feeling he would be leaving the club himself this summer.