Steven Gerrard says he is finding it "really hard to come to terms" with the death of "special man" Gerard Houllier, his former Liverpool manager, aged 73.
The Rangers manager said "yesterday was a really tough day" for himself and assistant Gary McAllister.
Both played under the Frenchman while he was manager at Anfield.
"Gerard obviously played a huge part in both our careers - and also our lives," Gerrard said. "He was more than just a manager. A caring man, a loving man."
Gerrard was handed his Liverpool debut by Houllier four months after the former France head coach arrived at Liverpool, while McAllister was signed from Coventry City two years later.