Gary Speed
Gary Speed was a star in both his playing and managerial careers. REUTERS

Louise Speed, the widowed wife of Welsh footballer Gary Speed, who committed suicide on Nov. 27, has testified at the Warrington Coroner's Court, during an inquest into the causes and nature of her husband's death.

Speed, who was the manager of the Welsh national football team when he died, was found dead in the garage of his home in Huntington, Cheshire. Although initial reports refused to confirm the manner of death, police have since, according to a Telegraph report, said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Speed's death. An inquest had been originally called for on Nov. 29.

The former midfielder, who was capped 85 times for his country and enjoyed successful spells with Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, was 42 when he died.

At the inquest, Louise Speed said she had received a text message from her husband, days before he died, which spoke in terms of "taking his life". According to a report in the Yorkshire Post, Louise also said the text referred to their (the martial relationship) "ups and downs" and "how important the boys (the couple's sons - Ed, 14 and Tommy, 13) were" and that her husband later "dismissed it (the text)".

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has confirmed, according to an earlier BBC report that the national team's friendly against Costa Rica, scheduled for Feb. 29, will be played in honor of their former manager and that 10 percent of all profits will go to charities chosen by Speed's family.

"This will be an opportunity to celebrate the life and achievements of a great servant to Welsh football both as a player and as a manager," said a Welsh FA statement.