Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has expressed his shock and sadness following the death of Gary Speed over the weekend.
Redknapp shocked by death of Wales manager
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has expressed his shock and sadness following the death of Gary Speed over the weekend.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the sporting and political world since Wales boss Speed was found dead at his home on Sunday at the age of 42.
Redknapp has found the news difficult to come to terms with as he reflects on somebody who was respected and admired throughout the football world.
"Since I heard the news on Sunday, you can't get it out of your mind and it's unbelievable really," said Redknapp.
"He was a lad that I never, ever heard anybody say a bad word about.
"Everybody loved him who came into contact with him, and the most unlikely lad you could ever see doing something like that."
Beyond belief
Asked if he had any special memories of Speed, Redknapp recalled a meeting between England and Wales Legends at Pride Park in September.
While Redknapp managed the England team, Speed played for a Wales side coached by charity fundraiser John Hartson.
"I was with Gary just a few weeks back. I managed a team in a charity game for John Hartson," said Redknapp.
"John managed a Welsh team of ex-players and celebrities and I did the same with an England team.
"We had a great night in Derby and raised some money for charity, and Gary played.
"I remember saying to him afterwards that he could still play. He was so fit, like a 20-year-old, and just kept running around.
"We were talking about the Welsh team and how he had got them playing.
"It is just beyond belief."
