Dermot Drummy, former Chelsea youth and reserve-team coach and Crawley manager, has died at the age of 56.
A message on Crawley’s official website read: “Everyone at the club is devastated by the news that our former manager Dermot Drummy passed away earlier today.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We will be issuing a full statement tomorrow after speaking to Dermot’s family.”
Drummy worked with Chelsea from 2009 to 2014, winning the 2010 FA Youth Cup.
After leaving the West London club he took over at Sky Bet League Two club Crawley in April 2016, departing 13 months later.
The club’s message further read: “Dermot was a real people person. He had time for everyone at the club and he loved to make us laugh!
“He brought many of the current squad to Crawley and they are as stunned as we all are at this terrible news.”