Can it really be seven days since the sickening news of Gary Speed’s death at the age of 42?
The closest I ever got to Speed was merely to interview him on several occasions and watch him at close quarters during matches and in press conferences, be it as ordinary Wales team member, captain or coach.
When he was unveiled as the new Wales manager, I remember being deeply impressed with the way he handled the media throng.
Speed was as sleek and polished as a piece of Chesterfield furniture.
Wales initially dropped to 116th place in the FIFA world rankings after Speed’s shaky start, but they now lie 50th having recorded victories against Montenegro and Switzerland in the last four months, teams who were both in the top 20 at the time.
Under Speed, however, a club mentality was growing, everyone from Gareth Bale to the newest call-up was pulling up trees to report for duty.
The real acid test for Speed would have been how Wales fared in the cauldron of the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
I just hope the next Wales manager can preserve, and build upon, the outstanding foundations Speed has put down.
Gary Speed in Wales action
A natural leader – but we will never know how far Gary Speed could have taken his talented bunch of Wales youngsters
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