Row: Louise Speed left the family home, pictured, near Chester, and went for a drive after a row Hours later she discovered her husband hanged in the garage

'When I left the studio on that Saturday I expected to hear from him on the Monday. On Sunday I got the phone call telling me Gary had died.

'I didn't believe it. I was shocked. Gary is probably one of the last people out of my million friends to ever do that.

'I had only seen him the day before and he seemed fine, we had plans for the following week too. It just didn't and still doesn't make sense to me.'

He added that their families had enjoyed holidays together and on their most recent holiday, in August last year, Mr Speed was "more relaxed this year than I have ever seen him".

He added that he was aware of a "couple of issues" between Mr Speed and his wife on the holiday.

He said: "My response was that is usual in a relationship that is so long-standing. I think he took the advice well as his words were that he was 'going to give it a go' and 'stick in there'."

Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that there is no evidence to suggest Gary Speed intended to take his own life.

In a narrative verdict, he gave the cause of death as hanging but said 'the evidence does not sufficiently determine whether this was intentional or accidental'.

In a statement read out after the inquest, Mr Speed's family said the day of his death was the 'worst day of our lives' but his memory 'shines brightly in our thoughts'.

'Gary’s death and the manner of it, made Sunday 27 November 2011 the worst day of our lives,' it read.

'Throughout the nine weeks since, there have been some very dark moments, which we have all had to find our own different ways to endure. 
'Now, we have to adapt to the future without a husband, a father, a brother and a son; but Gary’s memory shines brightly in our thoughts and we will forever remember the wonderful times we shared with him and the deep love and affection he offered so freely within our close knit family.'

Mr Speed's mother, Carol Speed, told how he 'loved his sons completely' but described him as a 'man of few words'.

Speaking about his appointment as Wales manager, Mrs Speed said: 'Gary said there was no greater honour than to manage his country in the game he loved.

'Although Gary enjoyed his job he did not enjoy the high profile nature of it.

'Gary always said he was not a celebrity.'

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