8 October 2012 Last updated at 10:50 ET
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New York Red Bulls coach Mike Jones stabbed to death
Mike Jones Mike Jones worked for the New York Red Bulls, one of the leading teams in US Major League Soccer.
A 25-year-old British man who was working as a football coach in the US has been stabbed to death in New York.
Mike Jones, originally of Tarleton, Lancashire, was attacked in Manhattan in the early hours of Sunday, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said.
Mr Jones, who coached the New York Red Bulls juniors, was declared dead on arrival at Bellevue Hospital, New York.
An NYPD spokesman said the coach had been found with a severed ear and stab wounds to his head and neck.
"It is absolutely horrendous," said Betty Parkinson, chair of Tarleton Corinthians who Mr Jones used to play for.
Officers answering an emergency call found Mr Jones on the street near 25 West 14th Street at about 04:30 local time (09:30 BST).
Premier League stars
The NYPD spokesman confirmed a "homicide investigation" was under way.
Mr Jones had been a coach with the Youth Training Programme of the New York Red Bulls for the past five years.
"He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us," the club said in a statement.
"This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's family at this time."
The New York Red Bulls are one of the leading teams in US Major League Soccer (MLS).
Current players include former English Premier League stars Thierry Henry, formerly of Arsenal, and Tim Cahill, who played for Everton.
Mr Jones is a former pupil of Tarleton High School and played for local football teams Tarleton Corinthians and Hesketh Bank FC.