Former Coventry City players and manager have expressed their shock and sorrow following the news of the death of Wales manager Gary Speed aged 42.
Cheshire Police have said that Speed's body was discovered at 0708am at his home in Huntington, Chester, and that there were no suspicious circumstances. Other reports say that Speed had hanged himself.
Gordon Strachan told BBC Five Live: "I was proud of Gary Speed, like a kind of father figure would be because he wasn't the most talented of kids when I first met him but he wanted to make himself better.
"I am going to miss his laugh, he had a childlike laugh. I was speaking to Gary McAllister and I said I would forget the games and the goals but I would never forget his laugh and I am never going to hear that again."
Bobby Gould who made Speed the captain of Wales said to the BBC: "I'm stunned and a few tears have been shed. It is so sad."
John Hartson added: "When I got the news, it was shocking and heart breaking. Bobby Gould told me. I didn't really want to face people. It's such a tragedy. He was such a lovely fellow.
"He led by example. He was inspirational and that's why we are all feeling it so bad - we couldn't see it coming."
Sam Allardyce also told the BBC: "As soon as he walked into the club he had an aura. When generally an old professional might moan and groan and say 'I don't want to do this' he just took it on board.
"I was also fortunate to get to know him as a person. He was an outstanding individual and this is what's devastating."
Source: FOOTYMAD
