Football News : Welsh manager Speed dies aged 42

Gary Speed played 85 times for Wales and took over as national coach last year.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Wales national football manager Gary Speed dies aged 42


• Speed found dead at his home in Chester, local police said


• Speed helped Leeds Utd win English Premier League title


• He was capped 85 times by Wales

(CNN) -- Wales national manager Gary Speed has died aged 42, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said Sunday.

"The Football Association of Wales are sad to announce the death of the national team manager Gary Speed," read a statement on the FAW official website.

"We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family.

"We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."

Speed was capped 85 times by Wales and helped Leeds United to the English Championship title during an illustrious playing career.

He took charge of the Welsh national side last year and was credited with a recent revival in their fortunes as they enjoyed a run of three straight wins for the first time since 2008.

Speed was also honored as a Member of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II last year.

Speed, who was married with two children, lived in north-west England.

Cheshire police issued the following statement to CNN Sunday.

"The police were called to a residence in Huntingdon in Chester at 7.08 a.m where a body of a 42-year-old was found.

"The identity was confirmed to be that of Gary Speed. There were no suspicious circumstances."

News of Speed's untimely death stunned the sporting community across Britain and players at the English Premier League between Swansea and Aston Villa observed a minute's silence.