Jack Grealish has revealed the emotional message he received from Craig Shakespeare just a month before the former Leicester City manager and Aston Villa coach died.
News of the much-loved manager's death, at the age of 60, rocked the football world yesterday evening.
Shakespeare was a key member of Claudio Ranieri's staff as the Foxes wrote one of the greatest stories in the history of the game to lift the Premier League trophy.
After the Italian was sacked the following season, Shakespeare led Leicester to the quarter-finals of the Champions League as caretaker-boss.
Now Manchester City winger Grealish has become the latest big name to pay tribute to the former coach, revealing the contents of a touching text he received after he failed to make the England Euro 2024 squad.
Jack Grealish has revealed the emotional message he received from Craig Shakespeare just a month before he died
The former Aston Villa star also attached a picture of himself with Shakespeare (left) and Dean Smith (right)
Taking to Instagram, the 28-year-old said: 'Shakey, one of the greatest people I've ever met not only in football but in life'
Grealish also posted a screenshot of Shakespeare's text, which attempted to console the Man City star for not being selected by Gareth Southgate this summer
Taking to Instagram, the 28-year-old, who was coached by Shakespeare at Aston Villa from 2020 to 2021, said: 'Shakey, one of the greatest people I've ever met not only in football but in life.
'Last month [he] was texting me when I didn't make the Euros squad whilst he was ill shows the type of man he was!
'An absolute heart of gold! Everyone really will miss you Shakey.
'Absolutely devastated. Sending all my love to his family.'
Grealish also posted a screenshot of Shakespeare's text, which attempted to console the Man City star for not being selected by Gareth Southgate in this summer's squad.
'Jack, sometimes it's hard to know what to say but I'm gutted for you and thinking about you,' the message read.
'My most gifted player I've worked with. Take care, Shakey.'
Shakespeare's family announced the death of the Premier League winning coach in a statement released via the League Managers Association last night.
Former Leicester boss Shakespeare tragically passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer
Shakespeare was Leicester's assistant manager when they won the Premier League in 2016
He also held coaching roles at clubs such as Everton, West Brom, Hull City and Aston Villa
It read: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Shakespeare.
'Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family. Whilst the family are immensely proud of his footballing achievements as both a player and a coach, to us, his family, he will always primarily be a loving and loved husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
'The loss is devastating to us all and we would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly difficult time as we try to come to terms with, and mourn, the loss of a very special person.'
After beginning his coaching career at West Bromwich Albion, Shakespeare worked at Everton, Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich, and had three spells at Leicester – the third under Dean Smith in the closing weeks of the 2022-23 season.
He represented Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Telford and Hednesford during a 19-year playing career.
As a coach, he formed an outstanding partnership with Nigel Pearson at Leicester, culminating in the 'Great Escape' in 2015, when the Foxes produced a remarkable end to the season to stay up against the odds.
Pearson said: 'It's difficult to put into words how I and indeed everyone who came across or worked with Craig will feel on hearing such devastating news.
'He is without hesitation one of the most wonderfully talented, emotionally understanding, calm, balanced and outrageously funny people I've had the privilege of calling my friend.
Shakespeare served as Claudio Ranieri's No 2 during Leicester's historic title triumph
Shakespeare represented the likes of Grimsby, West Brom and Walsall in his playing career
Shakespeare was among Dean Smith's backroom staff at Aston Villa, Norwich and Leicester
'Safe journey to the next destination my wonderful friend. You are loved and admired by us all, and every time we think of you, a smile, smirk, chuckle or memorable occasion will come to us. We truly are the lucky ones for having known Shakey.'
Leicester star Jamie Vardy added his own tribute on social media which read: 'I don't have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey,' with the club also posting a message which said: 'It was with heavy hearts that Leicester City Football Club learned of the passing of a beloved member of our family, Craig Shakespeare, at the age of 60.
'An inspirational figure in our history. Craig was instrumental in our rise from League 1 to Premier League champions, before taking charge as Manager and leading us into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Rest in peace, Shakey.'
Several of Shakespeare's former clubs similarly paid tribute to him after his passing.
Everton said: 'Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former coach Craig Shakespeare.
'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.'
Norwich expressed their condolences as they said: 'All at Norwich City are saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Shakespeare.
'Craig is fondly remembered at Carrow Road and his loss will be felt by the entire footballing community. Our heartfelt wishes go to Craig's friends and family at this sad time.'
Shakespeare was No 2 to Nigel Pearson at Leicester, Hull and Watford (pictured above in 2020)
Shakespeare's passing comes after it was revealed last October that he was battling cancer
A statement released by the LMA on behalf of Shakespeare's family shared the tragic news
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy also shared his own emotional post about Shakespeare
West Brom shared: 'We're heartbroken to learn of the passing of Craig Shakespeare.
'The thoughts of all of us at West Bromwich Albion, where Craig served as a player and in various other roles, are with his friends, family and loved ones.
'Rest in peace, Shakey.'
Walsall also paid their respects as they added: 'We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player Craig Shakespeare.
'Craig made over 350 appearances for the Saddlers and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
'Our thoughts are with Craig's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Meanwhile, Grimsby Town shared a tribute that read: 'We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Mariner Craig Shakespeare.
'The classy midfielder played 121 times for Town, scoring 10 goals, between 1993 and 1997.
'Our thoughts are with Craig's family and friends at this sad time. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.'
Shakespeare was most closely associated with Pearson, who he worked with at West Brom, Leicester, Hull and Watford.
Meanwhile, he also joined forces with Dean Smith at Aston Villa and Norwich, while Shakespeare was part of Sam Allardyce's backroom team during his one-game stint as England manager.
Shakespeare played a huge role in Leicester's Premier League triumph during the 2015-16 campaign and remained hugely popular among the Foxes faithful.
Several of Shakespeare's former clubs were quick to pay tribute to him on social media
After succeeding Ranieri in 2017, he spent eight months in the managerial hot seat at the club, winning 11 of his 26 games in charge before he was replaced by Claude Puel.
Shakespeare also enjoyed a one-game stint as caretaker boss of West Brom in 2006, overseeing a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
It was announced last October that Shakespeare had been diagnosed with cancer, with his last role in football being as part of Smith's coaching staff during his spell at Leicester in 2023.