Tributes Pour Out For Ex-England Defender And Tottenham Coach Ugo Ehiogu, Dead At 44

Ugo Ehiogu, Tottenham’s under-23 team coach and former defender for Aston Villa and England’s national team, died after suffering a heart attack Friday. He was 44.

Tributes: Tottenham Coach, Ex-Aston Villa Star Ugo Ehiogu Dies Of Heart Attack

Tottenham Hotspur confirmed the news in a statement after several of the club’s devastated staff, including manager Mauricio Pochettino, were notified of Ehiogu’s death on the Premier League team’s training ground. The U-23 coach, who had been with Hotspur since 2014, collapsed on the field at Tottenham late Thursday and died Friday morning.

Ehiogu spent most of his playing career in the Premier League, including stints with both Aston Villa (1991-2000) and Middlesbrough (2000-2007). He earned four caps for England’s national team, and won three League Cups in his career, two with Aston Villa and one with Middlesbrough. Ehiogu, who also played for West Brom, Rangers and Sheffield United, retired from playing soccer in 2009. He is survived by his wife Gemma and a son.

Dozens of people from around the soccer world, particularly in the English league, paid tribute to the late former player and coach and expressed their condolences to his family and friends.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ugo Ehiogu, our Under-23 coach,” Tottenham said in a statement. “Ugo received immediate treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Training Centre yesterday before being transferred to hospital, where he passed away in the early hours of the morning.”

Spurs head of coaching and player development John McDermott added: “Words cannot express the shock and sadness that we all feel at the club. Ugo’s immense presence will be irreplaceable. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Gemma and his family.”

Former England forward and current broadcaster Stan Collymore tweeted a photo of him and Ehiogu:

“Only spoke to Ugo a month ago,” Collymore said in a separate tweet. “Be in a happy place big man, will never forget you pal. Rest in peace big un.”

Among the other people to pay homage to Ehiogu was Ian Taylor, a former Aston Villa midfielder and a current ambassador for the team.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte also commented on Ehiogu’s death.

“I think when this type of situation happens the football is not important,” Conte said. “It’s not easy to speak about it, because this situation hits every one of us, and for sure tomorrow there will be a strange atmosphere.”

He continued: “It’s a pity because he was very young, only 44, and a former player, and when these types of situation happen you start to think a lot of things in your mind. And for sure, not good things. We are very sad about this, we can remember him tomorrow and I think this is the minimum for us, for Tottenham and for the fans.”

Tottenham confirmed there will be a minute’s applause before their FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, and that both teams will wear black armbands to honor Ehiogu.

Sky Sports broadcaster Paul Merson broke down in tears while delivering an emotional tribute to Ehiogu, his former Aston Villa teammate.

“I’m still devastated, he was such a top bloke, it’s unbelievable, he was a man mountain,” Merson told Sky Sports. “You know what… Billy Joel sings that song, ‘Only The Good Die Young.’ And that is him. He was a top player and a good friend as well.

“I talked to him recently, he was always winding me up, saying Tottenham have some good players coming through! [My thoughts] go out to his family, sorry.”

Ehiogu’s only goal for England came in a 3-0 victory over Spain at Villa Park in 2001.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 05: Ugo Ehiogu, coach of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 5, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)