JOIN USCheshire police in north-west England, where Speed lived, said in a statement that a 42-year-old man had been found hanged at his home and that there were no suspicious circumstances.
Speed, who made more than 700 appearances for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United in a playing career that spanned 22 seasons, became Wales manager last December. He was a member of the Leeds team that won the last First Division title in 1992, before the start of the Premier League, and he became the first player to make 500 Premier League appearances during his time at Bolton in December 2006.
He was awarded the MBE for services to football after retiring as a player last year.
Speed also made 85 appearances for Wales between 1990 and 2004, being their most capped outfield player and second highest overall behind goalkeeper Neville Southall.
Wales were eliminated from the race for the Euro 2012 finals. Manchester United striker Michael Owen who lives near Spped’s house, tweeted: "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."