Gary Speed: tributes to Wales manager This is truly tragic news and the thoughts of all of those associated with the Premier League are with Gary's family and friends. Gary was a wonderful ambassador for our league, and indeed all of football, but more than that he was a decent man widely respected throughout the game and beyond. Gary will go down in history as one of our iconic players, he was a stand-out professional of the modern game and I'm sure all football fans across Britain will be deeply saddened at his untimely passing. From Robin van Persie on Twitter: I heard the sad news about Gary Speed, great footballer my condolences and sympathies to his family. From Bobby Gould, former Wales boss: He was a great pro. He would play anywhere for you - left back, left wing, centre of midfield, wide left. It's such a tragedy. People are just stunned. I saw John Hartson earlier and I said 'have you heard about Gary?' The big man just cried and cried. We cuddled each other. He's gone home (from the Liberty Stadium). That is his respect towards Gary to say 'I can't work this afternoon' Speedo was his pal. They were buddies. Gary was the ultimate professional. From Mark Bowen, Welsh team-mate of Speed's and later coach of the national side: I'm totally stunned and devastated, you feel completely numb. It goes without saying that the plaudits for the man himself will come thick and fast. I played with him and I knew him as a colleague for many years. He was captain of Wales when the likes of Mark Hughes and Ian Rush were still playing and I think that tells you a lot about the man he was. I can't put into words what a fantastic guy he was. In that short space of time (with Wales) he showed the talent he had for working with the players. He had such a bright, fantastic future to look forward to in football but that is secondary...it's about his family and his boys. The report from Telegraph journalist Graham Clutton at the Liberty Stadium for Telegraph Sport: It was a minute's silence with a difference at the Liberty Stadium. Neil Swarbrick blew his whistle and after one lone supporter started to clap, another 20,000 followed suit. It was a wonderful tribute to a man who had captured the hearts and minds of a nation over the past 25 years. From Speed's former Wales team-mate Ryan Giggs: I am totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend. Words cannot begin to describe how sad I feel at hearing this awful news. It goes without saying my thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time. From Michael Owen 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. He has died aged 42. So sad. He lived local to me and we knew his family. He leaves behind 2 sons. Tragic. From Graeme Souness: I can't say that I knew Gary, but the little that I do know about him from Dean Saunders, who used to room with him. He was a deep thinker, a thoughtful intelligent man. From Howard Wilkinson, who managed Speed at his first club Leeds United, who said: It's such a loss. I cannot begin to try to understand what his parents are thinking. I knew his mum and dad, and particularly his dad very well. I've met a lot of people in my time, a lot of sportsmen. Gary had none of those things which we associate with sportsmen. He was ordinary as a bloke, very nice, very genuine, very honest, very hardworking. He was a joy to manage. I think I played Gary in every position apart from goalkeeper, and never even once did his face change or did he seem annoyed when I told him. He had a terrific sense of loyalty and commitment to the people around him. This is a genuine loss to the world. From Gary Neville: It's absolutely devastating. My career and his crossed many times, I played against him many times. Everyone that I know that knew him couldn't say enough good things about him. We think of football as being important, but it's not really.