Tributes have poured in for a top French football coach who helped inspire a generation of Bermudian coaches.

Jacques Crevoisier spent more than a decade delivering coaching courses and initiatives on the island for four organisations — the Bermuda Football Foundation, the Bermuda Football Association, the ABC Football School and, most recently, the Bermuda Football Coaches Association.

Mr Crevoisier, a former assistant coach to Gérard Houllier at Liverpool, died of a heart attack on Saturday. He was 72.

Richard Todd, the BFCA president, said hundreds of Bermudian coaches benefited from courses led by Crevoisier, whom he described as a “dear friend” to the local game.

Mr Todd added: “Jacques will be clearly missed by those he befriended and came into contact with during his time educating local coaches and helping to improve Bermuda football through his knowledge, experience and high-level football contacts.”

Mr Crevoisier played a key role in bringing French teams to participate in the Clyde Best International Youth Tournament, the introduction of the BFCA/Scottish FA partnership for pathways towards Uefa coach licences, and organised visits for Bermuda’s coaches to professional clubs and the famed French national football academy at Clairfontaine.

A BFA statement read: “It is with heavy hearts that we contemplate coach education without the guidance of Jacques or JC to some.

“In Bermuda, Jacques was known for his directness and vast knowledge of football. He was ever-present in Bermuda for ten years tutoring coaches and contributing to the resurgence of coach education.”

John Barry Nusum, the Robin Hood coach and former Bermuda captain, remembers Crevoisier as an “amazing personality” who always had a “straight answer on any topic”.

Mr Nusum wrote on Facebook: “I was part of the first trio of coaches from Bermuda that went to France with Jacques looking into the professional landscapes of some famous French clubs and the Clairfontaine academy as well. Thanks for all of your insight and especially quips.”

Dennis Zuill, a former Bermuda defender, said Crevoisier inspired him to pursue a coaching career in England and helped to “professionalise” coaching on the island.

Mr Zuill, a senior coach for Sky Blues in the Community — the charity arm of Sky Bet League One side Coventry City — wrote on Facebook: “The short time I got to work under this amazing man will never be forgotten.

“In 2014, I was able to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a certified coach. The gap bridged by Jacques and the BFCA is unprecedented in developing the future coach and football education island-wide.

“He instilled a level of professionalism like we’ve never been introduced to in Bermuda and all the coaches that were graced with your presence will forever be indebted to you, Jacques.

“Thank you from all of the Bermuda coaching fraternity. We’ve lost a pioneer of our sport.”

Crevoisier joined Liverpool in 2001 and spent two years on Houllier’s staff, helping them win the League Cup before returning to France for family reasons.

“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Jacques’s family and friends at this sad time,” the club said.

Mr Crevoisier, who coached France to the European Under-18 Championship title in 2000, signed a deal to become a part-time technical consultant for the BFA only hours before Richard Calderon stepped down as the president in 2011.

However, incoming president, Larry Mussenden, disapproved of the final act of Calderon’s tenure and, with the backing of the BFA affiliates, moved to terminate the contract.

Shortly afterwards, Crevoisier, a former Uefa and Fifa adviser, signed a three-year deal to perform a similar role for Andrew Bascome’s ABC Football School.