Watford greats Nigel Gibbs and Paul Robinson have paid tribute to Gianluca Vialli as the football world comes together to mourn the legendary Italian striker.

It was announced this morning that the 58-year-old, who was in charge at Vicarage Road from 2001 to 2002, had passed away. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer five years ago.

Read more: Former Watford manager Vialli dies

Gibbs, who made the last of his 491 Hornets appearances as a substitute on the final day of that season in a 3-2 defeat at home to Gillingham, tweeted: “My thoughts and prayers are with Luca’s family and friends. He was such a humble & generous man. Rip Legend.”

Robinson, who made 38 league appearances under the Italian in that season, tweeted: “Terrible news regarding Vialli. I will be forever grateful to you for your guidance and trust you showed me as a young lad when playing under you @WatfordFC. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Neil Cox was one of the players that Vialli made available for transfer when he arrived at Vicarage Road, only for the defender to end up captaining the team after getting his head down and working hard in training.

The pair remained friends after they left Vicarage Road, and often caught up for a game of golf and a chat.

“Luca was a true gentleman that loved his football,” said Cox.

“He had a winning mentality towards the game, and he was a student of it. He knew it inside out.

“But most of all he was a great person that cared for the people around him. He was a touch of class, on and off the pitch.”

In their social media tribute, Watford said: "All at Watford FC are saddened to learn of the passing of our former manager Gianluca Vialli. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends."