The body of the former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United midfielder was discovered this morning at his home on the outskirts of Cheshire.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Sources confirmed Speed was found hanged.

Speed, who was awarded an MBE last year for services to football, had revitalised the fortunes of the national side and overseen a run of four wins from their last five games, a streak that had taken them from a record low of 117th in the FIFA World Rankings to as high as 45th.

Speed had been in Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting to agree the order of fixtures for Wales' Group A World Cup qualifying campaign, with hopes high the Dragons could reach a major finals for the first time since 1958.

And left-back Neil Taylor, one of four Wales players involved at the Liberty Stadium, believes going on to achieve that feat would be a fitting tribute to a man who won a record number of Wales caps for an outfield player.

Taylor, speaking after playing in Swansea's goalless draw against Aston Villa, where there was a spontaneous outbreak of applause for Speed during a minute' silence in his memory prior to kick off, said: "He loved his football and he was a great football man.

"He was an all-round great guy and I cannot say enough about him, people around the world will be in shock. The game is going to really miss him.

"I hope we can qualify, it's a long way from our thoughts at the current time but I hope we can do that and continue to play week in week out in his memory.

"The only way to pay your respects to a great football man is through your football and I hope we can do that.

"He had a great set-up going and he was going to achieve great things with Wales."

Villa defender James Collins said he was devastated by Speed's death.

He told www.avfc.co.uk: "It's a sad loss of a man who was doing great, great things for Welsh football. I played with him for a long time, so it was hard to even play the game today.

"We knew two hours before kick off, just when we were getting to the ground. It was heartbreaking."

Villa keeper Shay Given was another deeply affected by Speed's death. The pair had played together at Newcastle and the Irishman was in tears during the minute's applause.

Collins said: "Shay was very close with him and you could see that in the minute's silence. He was so emotional that you didn't know if he was going to play the game. That just says it all, how seriously affected everyone's lives are. We're all just devastated and our thoughts are with his family."

Swansea centre-half Ashley Williams added: "You cannot fill the gap that he has left."

Wales striker Craig Bellamy withdrew from Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City after hearing of Speed's death, because he was too upset to play.

Tributes to Speed have not been confined to the principality, with messages pouring in from all over a football world in mourning.

Howard Wilkinson, who Speed played under when Leeds won the league title in 1992, described him as a "star in the true sense''.

Wilkinson told BBC Five Live: "The players I worked with represented all colours of the rainbow in terms of character but in Gary's case he was a star in the true sense. For him - at 42 - to leave us is such a tragic loss. It's unbelievable."

Speed's former Wales team-mate Ryan Giggs, who was linked with a role in the national set-up when Speed took charge, was another to speak of his sadness.

Giggs said: "I am totally devastated. Gary Speed was one of the nicest men in football and someone I am honoured to call a team-mate and friend.

"Words cannot begin to describe how sad I feel at hearing this awful news. It goes without saying my thoughts are with his family at this tremendously sad time."

Former England striker Alan Shearer, who played alongside Speed at Newcastle for six years between 1998 and 2004, formed a close friendship with the Welshman and said: "Gary was a

magnificent person, bright, fun and a wonderful family man - he lit up every room he walked into.

"I am proud to have been his friend and will miss him dreadfully.''

There was also a tribute from Prime Minister David Cameron.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The prime minister was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Gary Speed, who was greatly respected by football fans across the country both as a player and manager.

"The prime minister's thoughts are with his family and friends on this very sad day for fans everywhere, especially in Wales."