Gary Speed dead

[lfcred]

There are things that sound strange but im sure things have been covered up for the sake of the families privacy!

[Chazza]

This bloke comes across as a right arsehole

Resigning the week before a memorial game

Raymond Verheijen resigns as Wales coach

Raymond Verheijen has announced he has resigned as Wales assistant coach.

The Dutchman revealed on Twitter that he was quitting, citing "political and destructive games" as his reason.

Verheijen had been due to be part of the managerial team taking charge of Wales in the Gary Speed Memorial game against Costa Rica on 29 February.

"Earlier today I have informed the FAW I will resign," he tweeted. "Have enough of the political and destructive games. Very sad day."

Later he tweeted: "Very proud to be part of Fifa's most improved team in 2011. Would like to thank the players and fans for an amazing journey."

BBC Sport Wales contacted Verheijen but he declined to make any further comment.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed Verheijen had tendered his resignation.

"The Football Association of Wales wishes to announce that it has today received the resignation of Raymond Verheijen," its statement read.

"The FAW accepts the resignation with regret, as Raymond was due to assist the Wales squad this week with the match against Costa Rica, a game being staged in honour of the Wales manager who tragically left us in November of last year.

"In light of the forthcoming match, and the sensitivities of it, the FAW has no further comment to make at this time.

"The FAW would like to take the opportunity to thank Raymond for his work over the last 12 months and wishes him well for the future."

New Wales manager Chris Coleman had said Verheijen and Osian Roberts would coach the team for the game at Cardiff City Stadium on 29 February.

However, there had been doubts over Verheijen's future ever since Speed's death in November, with the Dutchman having openly stated that he wanted to be part of Coleman's backroom staff and players including Wales captain Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale announcing publicly that they wanted Roberts and Verheijen to remain in their coaching roles.

Coleman said he had had a "positive meeting" with Verheijen in London but the Dutch coach, who has worked at World Cups with the Netherlands, Russia, South Korea and Australia, was never confirmed in the post and Coleman had admitted nothing was definite beyond the memorial game.

"We had a very good conversation for three hours, it was very positive," Coleman had told BBC Sport.

"We need to do this game for Gary and it is almost like everything is on standby as we all need to pay our respects to Gary.

"After that we can sit down and see where we are going forward."

More recently, Verheijen had accused the FAW of being "very disrespectful" for not inviting a former member of staff to Gary Speed's memorial match.

He claimed team operations manager Adrian Davies had been "sacked" and "will not be at" Wales' game with Costa Rica.

But the Football Association of Wales insists Davies was employed only on a match-to-match basis by Speed.

And on Monday night Verheijen tweeted : "Very surprised to hear from journalists I will be in charge of Wales vs Costa Rica game next week. Nobody of FAW has informed me about this."

Wales' Costa Rica friendly also marks the start of Coleman's preparations for their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in which Wales begin at home to Belgium on 7 September.

The Welsh then have further friendlies against Mexico in New York on 27 May and against Bosnia-Herzegovina at home on 15 August.

Wales won four of their last five games with Speed at the helm, rising to 42 in the latest Fifa rankings having started 2011 ranked 113th.

Verheijen's resignation could also affect Craig Bellamy's future with Wales.

Bellamy, who is close to Verheijen, had committed to playing against Costa Rica but said his international future was uncertain after that game.

[Vermilion]

Quite incredibly selfish, a bloke is dead in tragic circumstances, and all this guy can think about is himself, just after Speed died, this fella was trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage too.

[kris90210]

Prick. We're better off without him

[RoadEnd]

The players seem to be behind Verheijen and putting it bluntly, it wasn't his fault Speed decided to end his own life. How many minutes applause and memorials does the guy need.

[kris90210]

Crass

[Alex]

The players seem to be behind Verheijen and putting it bluntly, it wasn't his fault Speed decided to end his own life. How many minutes applause and memorials does the guy need.

It's his memorial game. Have a little heart.

[Vermilion]

The players seem to be behind Verheijen and putting it bluntly, it wasn't his fault Speed decided to end his own life. How many minutes applause and memorials does the guy need.

I think the Welsh public are most definately not behind him though, after he made that comment very shortly after Speeds death, about Speed wanting him to carry on his good work.

What's his problem anyway, he was still in a job, he's the one that's thrown his toys out of the pram.

[Vermilion]

It's all for Speed! Coleman puts Wales plans on hold for emotional tribute to tragic boss

Chris Coleman admits he's still struggling to come to terms with the death of Gary Speed as he prepares for the first Wales match since becoming national team boss.

Coleman plans to speak briefly to the players before the Gary Speed memorial game against Costa Rica on Wednesday and then let Osian Roberts, a member of Speed’s coaching staff who is staying on under the new regime, take charge.



'I’ll address [the squad] but it won’t be about me and where I want to take them. We’re only going to talk about Gary. We’ll probably watch a bit of footage of Speeds. And all I’ll be saying to them is: "You’re going to find it tough. We’re all here for you, the players, for this game. You and us are all here for Gary."' he told the Guardian

'This is for Gary Speed. It’s not my first game. I just couldn’t do it. It’s for Gary and his family. And that’s all it’s about. I know people have said to me: ‘Well, Chris, you haven’t got many games to prepare for Belgium [in the first World Cup qualifier, in September].’ I say: "Listen, football, compared to how important this is … football is in the background."'



Three months have passed since Speed took his own life but the passage of time has done little to numb the pain.

'I can’t describe to you the feeling that I’ve got. It’s a surreal situation,' he said. 'Sometimes I’m like … "He’s not dead.’ I can’t get my head round it at all.”

Coleman admits it was 'eerie' the first time he walked into the Football Association of Wales headquarters and saw the empty black leather chair behind the desk in his office.

He said: 'I was looking at that thinking: "One of my best friends was sat there a couple of months ago."



'If the reason he was not here was because he had been sacked, I would have been on the phone to him saying: "This big comfy chair’s lovely." And I wish that was the case,' says the former Fulham, Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Larissa manager.

'When he beat me to the job last time [in 2010], I rang him up. There’s never been a problem between me and Speeds. We always got on very well. But this is another situation. And the strange thing is, it’s the third time in football I’ve lost a good friend. When I was at Swansea, I lost Alan Davies, who was only 30. Alan committed suicide in 1992. Robbie James, who was a real good friend of mine, died on the pitch at 40. And then Speeds.'

Coleman, 41, was nine months younger than Speed. They played boys’ football against other from the age of 10.

'He played for North Wales and I played for South Wales. His mum and dad were on one touchline and my mum and dad were on the other side. We went to Man City together on trial as 14-year-olds, our paths crossed all the time and that’s why we made the bond. And then we played for Wales eventually, Under-18s, Under-21s and the full team.

'We used to both play the guitar. Sparky [Mark Hughes, the former Wales manager] was very much about team spirit and if we had a good result, he liked to go back to the hotel and have a few beers. Me and Speeds would get the guitar out and we’d all have a singsong. I was better than Speeds. He used to play with a boxing glove on!'

'The last thing I can remember talking to him about was before the England game [in March],' says Coleman. 'I was working for Sky and I was saying: "You’re sitting in my seat there, you know that, don’t you?" We were laughing and joking. He had one of those infectious laughs, it was like a girl’s laugh. I can [still] see him smiling and hear his laugh.'



Coleman was managing the Greek club Larissa and had just given his pre-match team talk when he got a message from Lee Clark, his former Fulham team-mate, relaying the tragic news.

He said: 'I didn’t say anything at half-time, I can’t remember the score and I don’t know what happened in the game. I didn’t make one decision. I was sat in the dugout and I didn’t know what was going on. That was the worst, worst, worst day. It was horrendous.'

His immediate thoughts were for Speed’s family. They will be present at the match, including Speed’s wife, Louise, and their two boys, Tommy and Ed, who will be mascots, possibly led out by Craig Bellamy, in the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsey.

Coleman met up with Speed’s parents, Roger and Carol, a couple of weeks ago.

'I didn’t want to call because I wouldn’t have known what to say on the phone. I wanted to see them. We had a beer in [Roger’s] pub and spent a couple of hours together. It was difficult but it was nice.'

Although Coleman will not talk tactics this week, he has spoken with the majority of the players over the past month.

He added: 'Things are starting to work and the players liked Speeds. We all liked Speeds. But what I can’t do and what I won’t do is go in there and try to be like Gary because I’m not like Gary. We’ve got different personalities.

'I had a cup of coffee with Ramsey and we had a good talk. I said the same to him and all the other players: "While I want the same thing and want to play the same way, the training sessions will change because my content will be slightly different." There is more than one way to skin a cat. And I’m not keeping [other] things the same because it was working for Gary; it’s because I believe in it. But I wouldn’t try to put my feet in his shoes because I couldn’t do it.'


Speed will be a tough act to follow in so many ways but Coleman insists he is unfazed by the prospect of trying to maintain the progress that saw Wales win four of their last five matches.

'It’s a challenge,' says Coleman, who is hopeful that Craig Bellamy will make his task easier by deciding to play on for Wales.

'I remember when I took the Fulham job [aged 32], my close friend said: "Don’t do it, you’re not ready for it." My ego, confidence, call it what you like, said: "No, you can do it." That’s just me and football. I’ve never been afraid. I know people say: "You’re on a hiding to nothing unless you qualify [for the World Cup]." So be it. I’m prepared for that challenge.'

He appears better equipped to handle it now that he has re-evaluated his approach to management and life in general. Realising his career was at a crossroads when he was sacked by Coventry in 2010, Coleman took a step back.

He returned to management with Larissa last summer with fresh ideas and felt an immediate sense of achievement. 'I totally changed my style of play. The first pre-season friendly the players took it – more offensive, more imagination, more risks. I came off the pitch the best that I had felt.'

He is honest enough to admit that he also had other areas to address if he was going to have a chance of succeeding.

'Without baring my soul, I needed to change certain things in my personal life. I had to if I wanted to stay in the game as a manager at this level. I have always lived, breathed and slept football but there were other things outside of the game, let’s just say in my spare time, that I needed to be doing differently. Which I am doing.'

The biggest thing that he wishes he could change, however, is what happened on that dark November day, when he lost a close friend who was universally liked and whose wonderful contribution to Welsh football will be remembered on what is sure to be an emotional evening in Cardiff.

'I’m not looking forward to the game, to be honest,' Coleman adds, shaking his head. 'But it’s fitting that we have got an international game that is for Speeds.

'Solely for him. For nobody else.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1nfnyRegc

[Chazza]

Bellamy has got the armband for tomorrow nights game, Ramsey out injured

[Chazza]

David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

An emotional Roger & Carol Speed embrace their two grandsons Ed and Tommy before the match. #garyspeed #Wales twitpic.com/8qim0y



David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

Proud #Wales captains Aaron Ramsey & Craig Bellamy stand with Ed & Tommy Speed for the national anthem. #garyspeed twitpic.com/8qimir



David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

Fans create a mosaic for Gary as #Wales pays tribute to Gary Speed in Cardiff. #garyspeed yfrog.com/kl5e9chj



David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

The Wales & Costa Rica players stand to applaud the life of former manager Gary Speed. #garyspeed #Wales yfrog.com/h4bhrvoj



David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

Ed & Tommy Speed lead the Wales team out with captains Aaron Ramsey & Craig Bellamy. #Wales #garyspeed yfrog.com/ntr63lwj



David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

New #Wales manager Chris Coleman stands with Gary Speed's parents Roger & Carol on an emotional night in Cardiff. yfrog.com/h3158aetj


David Rawcliffe @propagandaphoto

Fantastic mosaic by the #Wales supporters for Gary Speed before the memorial match. #garyspeed yfrog.com/estbncyrj

[Gingawaria]

Magnificent tribute, shame they couldn't win, but under the circumstances the result means nothing.

Apparently his eldest son gave a speech to the players in the dressing room at the end of the match, his Dad would be very proud I think!

[Lee]

Those pictures are heartbreaking. Poor lads.

[Buzzo]

Wasn't sure where else to post this

The former Rangers, Dundee and Dundee United player Ian Redford has been found dead in woodland near Irvine in Ayrshire, BBC Scotland understands.

Police Scotland confirmed that a body was found near Long Drive just after 11:00 on Friday.

Officers said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

Mr Redford, who was 53, began his career with Dundee before joining Rangers in February 1980 for a then Scottish record fee of £210,000.

After six seasons with Rangers, which included four domestic cup trophies, Redford moved to Dundee United, where he collected runners-up medals in the Uefa Cup and Scottish Cup in the space of a few days in 1987.

'Brilliant player'
He also played for Ipswich Town, St Johnstone, Brechin and Raith Rovers in a career that lasted almost 20 years.

John MacDonald, who played with Redford at Rangers in the 1980s, said: "It's unbelievable. I met him not long ago at Colin McAdam's funeral and he was in good spirits and talking away to all the boys.

"It seems the only chance you get to see former team mates is at these sort of things or Rangers functions now.

"He was a brilliant player, his pace and skill down the wing was great and he set up a few goals for me. He was great to play with, I remember him scoring the winner in the 1981 League Cup final against Dundee United and that was a great day."

He added: "You couldn't meet a nicer guy off the park. I met him at a few Rangers golf days over the years and he was great, even though we'd all slowed down a bit because we were all older.

"He was from Perthshire and although he moved when he played with Rangers, he moved back to be nearer his family after, but he always made an effort to make all the functions. It's terrible to hear, really unbelievable."

Some of the clubs Redford played for paid tribute to him on their websites.

'Part of history'
A Dundee United statement said: "Everybody at Dundee United is devastated to hear of the passing of ex-United player Ian Redford.

"The memory of his performances for United at a time when the club competed in the higher echelons of European football will forever be part of our history and his winning goal against Borussia Monchengladbach in the semi final of the Uefa Cup semi final in 1987 will always be looked back on with particular fondness by Arabs everywhere.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Ian's family at this very sad time."

Rangers manager Ally McCoist said: "We are deeply shocked to hear the very sad news that Ian has passed away.

"I had the honour of playing with him early in my Rangers career and he was a terrific lad and an extremely talented footballer who will be sadly missed.

"Everyone at Rangers sends their sincere condolences to Ian's family and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."

Dundee FC said: "Everyone at Dundee FC were saddened to hear of the death of former midfielder/striker Ian Redford - one of the most talented kids to come through the Dens youth system over the last few decades.

"Ian was mainly a striker during his time at Dens - and he scored four goals in one match against St Mirren in 1979 in a 4-1 win.

"It was the kind of performance that brought attention from richer clubs and Ian was sold to Rangers for a Scottish record transfer fee not long afterwards.

"Ian was a silky and attacking player who was not quite the stereotypical footballer - he'll be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

The midfielder was capped for Scotland's under-21 side, but not for the senior team, having played at a time when the national squad could call on Graeme Souness, Paul McStay and Gordon Strachan, among others.