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Gary Speed, now dead. He was so satisfied with the Welsh national team
The sports world today mourns the death of the Wales national football team manager, Gary Speed, aged 42, who was found dead at his home in Huntington, Chester, England, after apparently after committing suicide.
The former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton midfielder was found hanged Sunday morning with Police saying there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Speed's death.
The Football Association of Wales confirmed the news, saying that Speed's family had authorised the release of the information. Police said that its officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. The next of kin have been informed and have confirmed his identity.
Following news of Gary Speed's death, tributes from the world of football were paid.
The Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who lives near the star, tweeted: "Just cannot believe the news regarding Gary Speed. We waved at each other a couple of days ago dropping our kids off at school. I'm numb."
Former Wales international Robbie Savage wrote on Twitter: "He was upbeat on phone yesterday we were laughing together , talking football and dancing he was a great teammate and a great friend.
The Welsh Football Association said: "That this tragedy should have overtaken someone so young and talented is a huge loss not only for his family and friends but a nation as a whole."
Speed, who was awarded the MBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours for his services to football, leaves a wife and two children.
Speed had appeared on BBC1's Football Focus show on Saturday afternoon, just hours before his death.
Speed took over the Wales job in December 2010, and earlier this month, said the side's rapid improvement had exceeded all expectations.
A 4-1 friendly win over Norway represented a third successive win for Wales, and Speed's fifth in 10 games as manager.
At the time, he said: "We've progressed further than I'd have thought in this space of time but we've still got a lot of work to do."
Speed won 85 caps for his country during a 14-year international career.
He was given the top job in Welsh football despite only having four months managerial experience.
Speed began his playing career at Leeds United after coming through the trainee ranks, and was part of the side that won the last Football League title in 1992, before the introduction of the Premier League.
He was handed his Wales debut as a 20-year-old in the 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in May 1990.
He retired from international duty in 2004, having scored seven goals and captaining his country 44 times. His final appearance came in 3-2 World Cup qualifying defeat by Poland in October 2004.
His tally of 85 caps is a record for an outfield player. |
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