Stoke manager Tony Pulis has paid his tribute to countryman Gary Speed following the Wales manager's death on Sunday.
Pulis said: "There's been a lot of tributes to Gary, and rightly so, he was a smashing person. First and foremost a great, great footballer.
"As a family man , I wouldn't know, I didn't know his wife or his two children, but he spoke very fondly of the boys and taking them away to games. It's tragic. The football world has lost not just a good man but a good football man as well.
"The important thing is we give Gary's family the time and respect they need now to get through this. Football drops into insignificance in that respect."
Speed's death has brought the issue of depression in football into the limelight, and Peter Kay, the chief executive of the Sporting Chance clinic, revealed more than 10 professional footballers have been in touch since Sunday when Speed was found hanged at his home.
"It's a pressurised game," said the Stoke boss.
"Especially management, management is a very lonely job, especially when you're losing. You have to be a very strong as a character and as a person to get through difficult periods.
"As a player, I just enjoyed playing football. Every day that I woke up I thought I'd been blessed. So I can't speak for people who do get depressed being a professional footballer.
Stoke defender Matthew Upson does not believe football has a particular problem but accepts it is something that should not be overlooked.
He said: "People would assume footballers wouldn't (have depression) because it's such a great job and a great lifestyle. We're very fortunate to do what we do. But that doesn't mean you still can't have your problems, and it's important to remember that."
