Former Chelsea and Italy striker Gianluca Vialli has announced that he will leave his role in Roberto Mancini’s staff with immediate effect to focus on his second battle with cancer.

Gianluca Vialli, a new battle with cancer

In 2017, Viall was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and the following year he declared that he had won the battle. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with the same disease in 2021 and will temporarily withdraw from any other activity.

“After long and difficult discussions with my wonderful team of oncologists, I have decided to suspend, hopefully temporarily, my current and future professional commitments.

The goal is to use all my physical and mental strength to help my body overcome this phase of illness so that I can share new adventures with you as soon as possible,” Vialli announced, according to the Daily Mail.

The Italian Football Federation expressed its support for Gianluca Vialli in a statement by president Gabriele Gravina.

“Gianluca is an integral part of the Italian national team, and it will be in the future. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He can rely on each of us because we are a team, on and off the field,” Gravina said.

58-year-old Gianluca Vialli played for Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus and London Chelsea, where he became a real idol. After his retirement, he coached the formation at Stamford Bridge for two years.