Concerns for Gianluca Vialli as his family rushes to his bed after being diagnosed with cancer
Fears are growing for Gianluca Vialli's health after members of his family traveled to visit him in a London hospital, according to Italian media reports.
The former Chelsea player and manager is battling pancreatic cancer after being re-diagnosed with the disease in 2021.
The 58-year-old stepped down as Italy coach last week and his 87-year-old mother Maria Teresa and brother Nino traveled to be with him for the weekend before returning to Italy on Monday, Corriere della Sera reported.
Vialli was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, but after receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital, it was announced in April 2020 that he had received a full medical.
He went on to play a key role in Italy's success at Euro 2020 in England under coach Roberto Mancini.
The former Sampdoria and Juventus star made 88 appearances for Chelsea before taking charge of the club between 1998 and 2000.
Vialli confirmed in a statement last week that he will be stepping down from his position with the Italian team, but he hopes it will only be temporary.
He said: “At the end of a long and difficult 'negotiation' with my fine team of oncologists, I have decided to put on hold, hopefully temporarily, my current and future professional commitments.
"The goal is to use all the psychosomatic energies to help my body overcome this stage of the disease, so that I can meet new adventures as soon as possible and share them with all of you."