Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Gianni Vio as the club’s new set piece coach.
The experienced coach, who used to work in banking, was unveiled as the newest member of Antonio Conte’s staff on Monday morning and has already joined Spurs on their pre-season tour of South Korea.
“We are delighted to welcome Gianni Vio to the Club as a member of Antonio Conte’s coaching staff,” Tottenham said in a statement.
“Gianni, 69, takes the role of Set Pieces Coach and joins us with immediate effect from the Italy national team, where he has worked since September, 2020.
“Initially working alongside former Italy and Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga at Al Nassr in Dubai and Catania in Serie A in 2007 and 2008, Gianni had roles at Fiorentina, AC Milan, Palermo, DC United, Brentford and Leeds before linking up with Roberto Mancini and the Azzurri.”
Vio is reported to have designed 4,830 different free-kick routines for Mancini’s Italy sides and his in-depth analysis of set pieces have become renowned in the world of football.
He has also stated in an interview with La Nuova di Venezia that he tries to adapt set pieces to the personnel at his disposal.
“You need to analyse the players you have and find solutions tailor-made to their skillset,” he said.
“There are players whose reading of the game is special. At the highest level, Sergio Ramos comes to mind. Wherever you put the ball, you can bet he’ll find a way to get on the end of it. Timing is the most important thing when it comes to finishing off a set-piece.”
