Michail Antonio’s former manager wipes away tears to send emotional tribute after horror Ferrari crash which saw West Ham star smash into a tree on his way back from training

Michail Antonio’s old boss has released a heart-wrenching tribute to the West Ham striker after he crashed his Ferrari into a tree on the way back from training. 

The 34-year-old Jamaican international underwent surgery on a fractured leg this weekend following the accident.

The collision occurred on Saturday lunchtime as Antonio crashed his silver Ferrari in Epping Forest, Essex, and saw the striker end up in the passenger seat.

The footballer was trapped for more than 45 minutes as fire crews attempted to free him from his car.

West Ham confirmed on Saturday night that Antonio was in a stable condition after being taken to hospital. A further statement on Sunday confirmed that he had undergone surgery.

Now his former manager Martin Allen, who coached him while he was on loan from Reading at Cheltenham Town in 2009, has sent out an emotional tribute to the star.

He posted on X on Saturday: ‘Michail Antonio has been awesome for West Ham over these last few years I took him on loan and used to give him lifts home to London after the matches home and away to see his family. 

‘He’s a diamond bloke and after wiping away a few tears I hope he makes a full recovery.’

A day later, he suggested the shocking incident could galvanise a struggling Hammers side ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Wolves on Monday, saying: ‘Today would have been a real tough day at the training ground. The shock of a team mate in hospital.

‘To prepare mentally for this game will be tough for the players and manager.

‘Let’s hope MA [Michail Antonio] can be inspirational to all of us supporters, his team mates and the manager.’

He added shortly after: ‘West Ham United will win tomorrow night. I’m sure this tough weekend will galvanise the players, manager and staff. 

‘Also after a testing time, I think the West Ham United supporters will unite and do everything they can to support the players and manager. It’s got to be.’

A statement from West Ham after the crash read: ‘West Ham can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon. 

‘Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days. 

‘Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery.’

As reported by The Sun, Antonio’s first words following the crash were: ‘Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?.’

Samuel Woods was driving home after walking his dog in Epping Forest and saw the car on the roadside.

He told The Sun: ‘I said to him “hello” to see if anyone was alive. I heard sirens and told him that help was on its way. He was so disorientated. He said, “Where am I? What’s going on? What car am I in?”

‘The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn’t believe what happened. The car smelt of petrol.’

Woods stated that Antonio, whose former clubs include Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, wasn’t able to make sense of what he had heard.

Woods said: ‘I looked at him and thought, “He’s in big trouble”.

‘I just said, “You’ve had an accident”. He didn’t reply. He was looking around trying to make sense of what I just said. He was sitting in the passenger side.’

Essex Police confirmed they were launching an investigation into the incident that occurred just before 1pm on Coppice Row in Epping and called for witnesses to help their investigation into what is believed to have been a single vehicle collision.

On Christmas Day 2019 Antonio crashed his Lamborghini in Balham while dressed as a snowman.

Antonio previously opened up about the financial consequences of the crash.

‘I was struggling to get insurance this year,’ he said three years ago. ‘No-one wanted to insure me!

‘I had to go to a specialist insurance company, so my insurance this year is a madness! I’ve got a G63 now. They were offering me £10,000 for an [Audi] A3 to insure, or get a G63 and pay double the price but get to drive a G63 instead of an A3.

‘I’d rather pay £20,000 and drive a G63 rather than pay £10,000 and drive an A3. It was Christmas Day. Still to this day it has hurt me. I miss that car. Basically, I was driving but it was a slippery road.

‘In the car it corners nicely and holds the road, so I was going 30-35mph on a 30mph road. As it holds corners I think I don’t need to break, I’m just going to go round the corner like I do all the time.

‘But as I go round the corner, it skids. So as it skids, I s*** myself and I slam on the brakes – the worst thing you could do on ice as you just speed up when you’re meant to just go with it kind of thing.

‘So I slam on the brakes, skid and go up on the curb – but I don’t really remember it, everything just happened so fast. 

‘Then smoke comes out of the front of the car, and the engine is in the back so I’m thinking “the car is gonna blow up!”, even though it’s just the airbags. So I’m having to jump out of the passenger side of the tiny car. It’s a madness.

‘And the thing is, I was in a snowman costume as well. I don’t get why I didn’t take it off in there, sort it out.’

The centre-forward has made 323 appearances and has scored 83 goals since joining West Ham in 2015. He is their all-time top scorer in the Premier League.

He has been a mainstay for the Irons this campaign but has scored just once in 15 appearances.