Antonio Conte's tough time at Tottenham continues as the highly-rated tactician has fallen ill and is now set to undergo surgery, as confirmed by the club.

This announcement came via Spurs' official Twitter account on Wednesday, just after the January transfer window shut close, with the North London giants revealing that their head coach was diagnosed with cholecystitis.

After falling ill with severe abdominal pain, the 53-year-old was taken to the hospital and will now undergo surgery to remove his gallbladder. This operation will take place today and he will return only after a period of recuperation. 

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

This comes during a period of on-the-pitch struggles for Tottenham, with the club winning only two of their last six Premier League outings. Nonetheless, while Spurs have played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle, Harry Kane and Co. are only three points adrift of the UEFA Champions League spots.

Additionally, this comes amidst a difficult few months for Conte on a personal note, with the former Juventus ace witnessing the death of three close friends in football, the first being Gian Piero Ventrone, Tottenham's former fitness coach, back in October.

In December, Serie A icon Sinisa Mihajlovic passed away, who was also a close friend of Antonio. The tragic loss of Italian and Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli soon followed, with the former Juventus ace losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tottenham's next fixture takes place this weekend. The North London side will welcome none other than Manchester City on Sunday and while Conte might not be available for this tie, the newly-signed Pedro Porro should make his debut in the showdown with the defending Premier League champions.