The family members of Gary Speed on Monday expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received following the tragic death of the Wales football manager.
Speed, 42, was found dead at his home in Cheshire on Sunday, with police sources confirming the former Newcastle, Everton, Leeds and Bolton midfielder hanged himself in his garage.
The news stunned managers and players across the world, with David Beckham leading the tributes that quickly poured in for a man widely regarded as one of the good guys in a sport often fuelled by self-interest.
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Speed's agent Hayden Evans, who was also best man at his wedding, spoke outside the family home, saying: “Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people that have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) opened a book of condolence, as well as an online version, after being inundated with messages of support following Speed's death.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said the organisation had received messages from UEFA and FIFA, with the Welsh flag at FIFA House in Zurich flying at half-mast. The Welsh flag at the home of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay was also lowered as a mark of respect.
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There were emotional scenes at Everton and Leeds, where fans paid their respects to Speed, who was married with two children, by laying shirts and scarves outside their club's stadiums.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, a former Newcastle colleague of Speed's, had been reduced to tears during a minute's silence in Speed's memory before his club's Premier League match at Swansea on Sunday.
Former Manchester United midfielder Beckham saluted Speed's achievements, which included winning the old First Division title with Leeds in 1992 and reaching two FA Cup finals with Newcastle.
“I think he was an amazing, talented player, a player who had such a glittering career and just began a great career in management as well,” Beckham told media in Jakarta, where his LA Galaxy team is playing this week.
“On behalf of myself, the players, the manager and everybody at the Galaxy we'd like to send our love and thoughts to his wife, his children and his family. It is a sad time to lose a man like this.”
Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs said: “I am totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football, someone I am honoured to call a teammate and friend. Words cannot begin to describe how sad I feel at hearing this awful news. My thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time,” The Sun quoted Giggs, as saying.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, described him as ‘a great lad', who was always eager to learn.
Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen condoled Speed's death on Twitter.
“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,” Owen tweeted.