Stiliyan Petrov has called on Aston Villa's fans to end their chanting of his name in the 19th minute, saying: "We all have to move on."
Petrov, who retired from football after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia, is now working with Villa's under-21 team.
Villa's supporters paid tribute to their former captain last season by clapping and singing his name in the 19th minute because of the No19 he wore on his shirt.
But now the former Bulgaria midfielder known as "Stan" has said it is time to make a fresh start and for the fans to transfer their support for him to the team.
"Fans have asked me about it and I want to make clear that it was a great thing from the Villa fans, an unbelievable gesture which meant so much to me and my family through some of the toughest periods we had to endure," Petrov told the Birmingham Mail.
"The fans have shown me so much love, support and respect and I will hold this forever in my heart but we all have to move on and I have no problem with this. I know they will always be beside me, they're with me and I'm in their thoughts. That's a precious and very humbling thing.
"When I went through the toughest times they stood beside me and I'll never forget this.
"I know the fans will support the team this season in the same way they supported me because they showed how united they are and, as a club, we are looking forward together to the kind of exciting season it promises to be."
Petrov still has a remaining game to play: as part of a Stiliyan Petrov XI against a Celtic XI in a charity match at Celtic Park on 8 September.