Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew issued a heartfelt message of sympathy following the death of his former player Cheick Tiote on Monday.
The Ivory Coast international died at the age of 30 after collapsing during training with his club Beijing Enterprises on Monday, and the coach who worked with Tiote throughout his four-year stint as Newcastle manager offering these words of shock following the news.
"I'm devastated to hear the news about my former player and friend Cheick Tiote," Pardew said. "From the moment I arrived at Newcastle, Cheick was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief.