Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Robson, the man who launched his own career in football coaching.
Robson, 76, died on Friday after a long illness.
Mourinho began his journey to coaching stardom as a translator and then coach under Robson at Barcelona in the 1990s.
From there he went on to coach the likes of Benfica, Porto, Chelsea and now Inter, winning league titles in three different countries and also guiding Porto to the Champions League crown in 2004.
"I didn't speak with him over the last two months," Mourinho told the Inter website.
"It was difficult because I didn't want to think that he was coming to the end, that wasn't the image of Bobby Robson that I wanted to always carry around with me.
"That wasn't the voice that I wanted to hear. I wanted to, and I always will, hold with me the Bobby Robson of every day, a man of extraordinary passion for life and for football, and with extraordinary enthusiasm.
"Bobby Robson is one of those people who never dies, not because of what he did during his career, because of one more victory or one less, but for everything he transmitted to those who, like me, had the good fortune to know him and be by his side.
"My thoughts are with all those dear to him."
Robson's remarkable 56-year career as a player and manager included taking England to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, transforming unfashionable Ipswich into a European force and taking charge of major clubs like Barcelona, Porto, PSV Eindhoven and his boyhood team Newcastle.
But it was Robson's unrelenting enthusiasm for the game and his generous personality that made the biggest impression on everyone who came into contact with the genial Geordie.
As a mark of respect, flags at the Civic Centre in Newcastle were lowered in tribute, while Barcelona, PSV and Ipswich all released statements expressing their sympathy to Robson's family and saluting his achievements with their teams.
Newcastle and Ipswich fans flocked to their club's stadiums to lay flowers and scarves and write messages in praise of Robson.
At Newcastle, fans inside the ground chanted Robson's name after the squad and staff held a minute's silence on the centre circle, while first teamers Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor carried a wreath of white lilies on to the pitch.
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho was given his first big break by Robson, who employed the Portuguese as a coach and interpreter during his spells at Barcelona, Porto and Sporting Lisbon.
Fabio Capello, one of Robson's successors as England coach, summed up Robson's gift for communicating with people as he revealed a recent encounter with the ailing boss.
"Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman," Capello said. "His spirit and courage was incredible. To fight cancer so many times really showed the strength of the man.
"I recall the tribute dinner hosted for Bobby when he wasn't planning to say more than a few words. In the end he stayed on the stage for a very long time, telling story after story, much to everyone's amusement."
Terry Venables, another former England and Barcelona coach, added: "Bobby fought everything that has been thrown at him. You thought he was indestructible.
"I spoke to him about five weeks ago on the phone and he was talking about football. He was trying hard to battle away (at his cancer). He's shown great bravery."