SCOTLAND coach Craig Levein led tributes from the stunned football world last night after Wales manager Gary Speed was discovered dead at his home.
The 42-year-old was found hanged at the Cheshire house he shared with his wife Louise and two young sons after shortly after 7am yesterday.
Speed, who was rising to the peak of his powers as a manager after a successful 22-year playing career with a number of the country’s top clubs, had appeared live on the BBC’s Football Focus programme less than 24 hours earlier.
Speed’s friends, colleagues and former team-mates have spoken of their shock and devastation at the sudden death of the former Welsh internationalist, with many saying there was no warning he might take his own life.
Levein, who met Speed last week in Brussels as the two managers prepared to meet in World Cup 2014 qualifiers, said: “Football has lost a real talent and a gentleman. Gary was a young manager with the world at his feet. Stewart Regan and I were laughing and joking with him just last week. He was doing some fantastic work with the Welsh national team and I was looking forward to pitting my wits against him over the next couple of years. My deepest sympathies go out to Gary’s family and the football community in Wales.”
Yesterday’s fixtures were tainted by the news as word spread around the grounds.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, a close friend, broke down in tears as supporters at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea paid tribute with a minute’s applause for the former midfielder.
Former Wales internationalist and Celtic star John Hartson was due to provide radio analysis on the game but left the ground in tears after being told the news.
Hartson told reporters last night: “First of all I’m totally and absolutely devastated. Bobby Gould [former Wales manager] pulled me to one side and told me the news. I just went totally numb and pulled my head into Bobby’s shoulder. I was emotional and I just drove off.”
Hartson added: “He was like a brother and a captain for 10 years. I remember him as a wonderful player, a great leader and someone who led by example.
“When I was ill [with cancer] Gary was constantly on the phone to my dad and asking how I was -- he was just an unbelievable character.”
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish kept striker Craig Bellamy, a close friend of Speed’s, out of the squad for yesterday’s match against Manchester City.
Dalglish, who signed Speed for Newcastle United in 1998, said it had been difficult to concentrate on the match.
He said: “He was a smashing lad and was really well respected. I think the most important people at this particular moment in time are his wife and kids -- they must be absolutely devastated.”
Speed’s greatest moment at club level came in 1992 when he won the First Division title with Leeds. He was twice an FA Cup runner-up with Newcastle.
He also represented Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United and made more than 700 league appearances. He took the reins at Wales in December last year, and the side enjoyed a rapid improvement.
Speed himself won 85 caps for Wales, a record for an outfield player, during a 14-year international career
BBC pundit Robbie Savage broke down in tears on television as he remembered his international team-mate, whom he last spoke to the day before his death.
“I loved him as a friend, his wife is beautiful, he had a lovely family, he’d do anything for anybody. I idolised him, he was one of my heroes in life.
“Everybody loved Gary Speed. Why has this happened?”
There were also political tributes from Wales’s First Minister Carwyn Jones, Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband.
In September 2010, Samaritans launched a campaign to combat suicide amongst men. Its 24/7 confidential helpline number is 08457 90 90 90
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