Mark Hughes has expressed his regret that Gary Speed will not be able to see through his excellent start to life as national manager of Wales.
The 42-year-old was found hanged in his garage in the early hours of Sunday morning and the football world has been mourning since.
"He was a great guy to be around, by his appearance, by the way he conducted himself," Hughes told Sky Sports News.
"I feel fortunate to have known Gary as a friend."
Before his death Speed guided Wales to four wins in their last five games and oversaw their rise to 45th in the FIFA rankings.
"I wished him well when he got the job initially. Gary was very much his own man and he never picked up the phone to me," Hughes added.
"That's the real regret, that Gary's not going to be around to see through the work that he started."
Hughes, 48, has been linked with the vacant post of Wales coach.
