Pritchard “absolutely gutted” over Speed

 

Speed’s death at the age of 42 was announced at lunch time today (Sunday) and police say there are no suspicious circumstances with suicide suspected.

 

It comes the day after Speed was seen in top form on BBC’s Football Focus.

 

“I am absolutely gutted,” says Pritchard who appointed Speed to the job less than a year ago. “I am shocked and my thoughts are with his wife and two kids with whom we (FAW) are in touch with.

 

“We enjoyed a great relationship. He was a genuine professional and a gentleman that no-one had a bad word to say about. He was respected not just in the UK but across the world. There couldn’t be a bigger loss for Welsh football but our main thoughts are with his family. He was a hell of a nice lad.”

 

The initial reports of suicide have baffled Pritchard who called him a “stable guy” and “level headed”.

 

“It is just so hard to understand,” he said.

 

Speed has transformed the fortunes of the national football team over the past three months, winning four of the last five internationals against opposition inside the world’s top 40.