The death of former Australia international Darren Stewart at the age of just 52 sent shockwaves through Asian football circles. The body of the highly respected coach was found in his Singapore apartment last week.
Stewart was known as the inspirational captain of a successful Johor side in Malaysia in the 1990s before turning to management in Singapore where he finished his playing career. In more recent years, he coached the Maldives national team.
"Everyone was devastated by the news of Darren's passing," said his former Johor coach Steve Darby. "I'd spoken to him only three days before. He was a players' coach and a top-class football professional who always had great empathy and understanding of his players."
Asia had been Stewart's home for a quarter of a century after he'd built his reputation in Australia's National Soccer League. After five seasons with his hometown club Newcastle Rosebud, Stewart headed to Sydney to join the Apia-Leichhardt, an Italian club with a rich tradition.
He played four times for the Socceroos, including three full internationals. He made his debut against Croatia in a 3-1 victory in Adelaide in 1992 as a member of a team that included current Malaysia Super League coach Mehmet Durakovic. That year, he also faced Indonesia, a junior Thailand side and Solomon Islands.
On the back of his strong international form, Stewart was among the first waves of Australian imports to head to Southeast Asia, along with the likes of Alistair Edwards, Alan Davidson and Scott Ollerenshaw.
Former Thailand national coach Darby remembers Stewart's strong leadership and fearless defensive skills after he took over as Johor coach in 1998 when they were bottom of the second division. Another Australian Milan Blagojevic and injury-prone Hungarian Freddie Turboly were the other import players.
With hard man Stewart leading the way, Johor would embark on an unbeaten run that saw them finish second in the league and become the first second division team to win the Malaysia FA Cup.
"Darren was a tough player who took no prisoners. But he was a far better footballer than many believed. I played him as a sweeper in a back three at Johor. As well as defending, his job was to bring the ball out from the back," Darby said.
"Our first game together was against Perlis who had a skinny Thai winger whom I would have loved to have signed. It turned to be Kiatisak 'Zico' Senamuang who, in future years, would be my assistant as Thailand national boss and then become a brilliant manager in his own right.
"In the Malaysia FA Cup final, we beat a Sabah side who were coached by Chelsea legend Ken Shelito and had former Arsenal player David Rocastle as their star import. We pulled off a shock 1-0 victory with captain Darren magnificent in defence.
"Darren was also a great off-field captain and took the time and effort to mix with the local lads and adapt to their culture. The local lads treated him as one of their own and with great respect."
It was that empathy that Stewart would carry into his Singapore S.League coaching career with unfashionable Gombak United and Balestier Khalsa, having served as assistant to fellow Australian Scott O'Donell for two seasons at Geylang United.
In 2013, Stewart won the S.League coach of the year award after guiding Balestier to their first piece of major silverware -- the Singapore League Cup -- and their highest-ever league finish of fourth.
"Darren had an enthusiasm and deep love for the game. We will all miss him," Darby said.
Jason Dasey is CEO of Cockatoo Media. Twitter: @JasonDasey