Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says he misjudged the duration of his recovery after undergoing a surgery to remove his gallbladder at the start of February.
After the diagnosis that revealed he had cholecystitis, Conte was required to return to his native country Italy to undergo the procedure. The 53-year-old also had to spend time away from the club recovering from the operation, but initially made a return to the club. The doctors however, demanded his return to home country to undergo a full recovery a week later.
The former Chelsea manager finally returned to the club on Monday and oversaw their training ahead of Spurs’ game against AC Milan on Wednesday in the return leg of the Champions League last 16.
“For sure, I under-evaluated the recovery after surgery,” Conte said. “I think that for my sense of responsibility I wanted to come back early. Maybe I over-evaluated my body and myself.
“Now I’m well and I’ve recovered energy and I have to recover weight but for the rest my feeling is good. I will try to transfer my energy to my players. It’s important for me to work with my players and the staff and prepare for the games.”
Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini took charge of the club in the Italian’s absence. Stellini led the LilyWhites to two Premier League games including a 2-0 win over West Ham and another 2-0 win against another London club Chelsea, but added to their loss to Wolves, Spurs also exited the FA Cup courtesy of a 1-9 defeat to Sheffield United in Conte’s absence.
Conte was thankful for what his backroom staff had done.
“From afar I tried to stay very close with my players using video. To be present is totally different and for this reason I have to say thanks to my whole staff. They did a really good job and the players to stay for three weeks without the manager wasn’t easy, but now I’m back and I’m really happy.”
Conte’s immediate task is a game against AC Milan in the Champions League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he will be gunning for progression to the stage. Tottenham hold a 1-0 advantage heading into that encounter tomorrow.
