Christian Atsu’s former manager, Eddie Howe, has paid his last respect to the late footballer who died as a result of the Turkey earthquakes two weeks ago.
During his loan spell at Bournemouth where Howe was the manager, Atsu spent the 2015/16 season there from Chelsea.
The 31-year-old’s death was confirmed on Saturday after he was trapped under the rubble for 12 days.
After Newcastle’s game against Liverpool at St. James’ Park last Saturday, where a minute of applause was observed in hour of Newcastle’s former player, Howe was emotional about his former player.
"We’re treating it as the tragedy that it is, giving him our thoughts and our prayers and to his family as well. We want to support them in this moment,” he said after the game.
Earlier when there were conflicting reports on his whereabouts, Howe also spoke really nicely about Atsu and hoped for good news but it was not so.
“It’s hugely worrying,” the Englishman said. “I really, really enjoyed working with Christian, a great lad, great player. Our thoughts are with him and his family.
“We hope for some good news, we hope he’s OK, but we’re really concerned for him and his welfare this week.”
“It’s been difficult because there have been conflicting stories coming out about his whereabouts, so it’s been very tough. I can’t imagine how his family are feeling.
“But from the bottom of our hearts, we wish him well and hope there’s a positive ending.”