Spanish football manager Manuel Preciado has passed away only a day prior to his unveiling as coach of Villareal.
Preciado was set to begin his tenure at a club who were relegated after finishing third-last in the 2011-12 La Liga season.
"The coach Manuel Preciado died overnight in Valencia as a result of a heart attack," a Villareal statement read.
"Villarreal wants to express its deepest sorrow at the sad loss and wants to offer its condolences to his family and all his relatives."
Sporting Gijon, the club Preciado coached from 2006 until the end of the 2011-12 season, was glowing in its tribute to him, saying he was "part of the club's history with gold letters".
They also stated they had "deep sadness" when hearing the news of his death, and further to that added: "Gijon sends its deepest condolences to his family in this time of sorrow."
His passing brings to an end a tragic 10-year period for the 54-year-old.
His wife passed away of cancer in 2002, his teenage son died in a car crash in 2004 and his father passed away in 2011 after being hit by a car.