Gary Speed, who took over as Wales football coach just 11 months ago after playing for his country a record 85 times, has died. He was 42.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced Speed's death Sunday without giving the cause.
Local police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Speed's death.
Speed is survived by his wife and two children.
"We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family," the FAW said in a statement. "We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."
Speed, whose 85 caps is a Welsh record for an outfield player, had only become Wales coach in December in a move that had long been predicted by former teammates and commentators. Only goalkeeper Neville Southall, with 92 appearances, played more games for Wales.
Last year, Queen Elizabeth II gave Speed the Member of the British Empire award in her annual Birthday Honors list for his services to football.
"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," Manchester United striker Michael Owen wrote on Twitter. "He has died aged 42. So sad. He lived local to me and we knew his family. He leaves behind 2 sons. Tragic."
Admired for his dedication, fitness and consistency in a 20-year playing career – as well as a knack for goals – Speed started out with Leeds United and won the English league championship with the club in 1992.
Moving on to Everton and then Newcastle United, Speed became the first player to play in 500 Premier League games and held the record with 535 until it was surpassed by goalkeeper David James in 2009. Ryan Giggs has also since passed the mark.
Speed scored in every top-flight season in which he played until dropping out of the Premier League in 2008 when he joined Sheffield United.
With injuries finally beginning to affect him, Speed became a coach at Sheffield United and formally retired from playing at the end of the 2009/10 season. He became Blades manager early in the following campaign but was soon approached by Wales after John Toshack resigned as coach.
Speed led the team to five wins from 10 matches, including a 4-1 win over Norway two weeks ago, earning plaudits for the side's style of play and emphasis on youth.
"We've got talent in abundance and I'm fortunate to be in that position," Speed said after the November 12 win in Cardiff. "We are building for the future. There is still a lot of improving to be done but we are going in the right direction."
* Associated Press
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
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Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Palestine and Israel - live updates
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The five new places of worship
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Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
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Meydan race card
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
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Individual E. Pederson (-14), S. Kyriacou (-12), A van Dam (-12), L. Galmes (-12), C. Hull (-9), E. Givens (-8),
G. Hall (-8), Ursula Wikstrom (-7), Johanna Gustavsson (-7)
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LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
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Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
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Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
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Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
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UPI facts
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
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Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
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Melville House
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
