The family of Wales manager Gary Speed said they had been "overwhelmed" with messages of support and condolence.
Speed, 42, a father of two, was found hanged at his home on Sunday morning, just a day after appearing on live television and chatting to fellow footballing figures.
Speaking outside the star's Cheshire home, Speed's agent and best man at his wedding, Hayden Evans, said: "Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people that have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time.
"We have been overwhelmed by the support and it really has helped. We would ask that the family are now given the respect of some privacy to just grieve on their own."
Tributes to the manager of the Welsh national team, a former Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle United midfielder, poured in from a host of public and sporting figures, including Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.
On a visit to Manchester, Mr Cameron said: "Obviously here in the North, where he played for so many of the iconic teams, I know he meant an enormous amount to people and people feel very, very sad on his behalf and on his family's behalf."
Supporters have left scarves, football shirts and flowers across several football stadiums - including Everton's Goodison Park, at Leeds United's Elland Road, Newcastle United's St James' Park and The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium, where Wales played their home games. Flags outside the Welsh Assembly were flying at half-mast.
Welsh football bosses admitted the shock and mystery surrounding Speed's death may continue for years to come.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford choked back tears and said: "It is surreal. I am so emotionally cut up. We can't fathom it, we can't understand it and I think we will be guessing for many years to come. We are all devastated. At the FAW office, we huddled and cried together today."
An inquest into Speed's death is expected to be opened and adjourned at Warrington Coroner's Court on Tuesday afternoon.
