So Wales has a new manager after weeks of speculation. There's been twists and turns, not to mention the Swede throwing his hat into the ring (should we be thankful Sven was in Leicestershire?), but it's been announced that Gary Speed will be hoping to make Euro 2012 after a nightmare start to the qualifying campaign.
I am pleased? Not sure really. I think more than anything I'm shocked and a little bit underwhelmed. After interviewing a number of candidates, the FAW approached the former Wales captain and he was more than happy to leave his post at Bramall Lane 'when his county came calling'. It seems that the right man for the job was the one which didn't show initial interest, in fact I'm sure I read at some point he wasn't interested at all.
What bothers me is that Wales now have a manager who doesn't really ticks the boxes the other candidates did. If you wanted international experience, Lars Lagerback surely would have fitted the bill. To bring in the crowds and embody the Welsh passion, you look no further than Giggsy or Big John Hartson. If you wanted a mix of both nationality and managerial experience, you have ex Fulham and Real Sociedad boss Chris Coleman. Then to top it off, you have Brian Flynn working wonders with the Youth set up, so he has an eye for noticing and nurturing potential - albeit his stint as caretaker coach didn't go so well against Bulgaria and Switzerland. But alas none of them good enough for the job.
Instead the FAW have apparently 'broken the bank' to compensate Sheffield United for a manager with a win ratio of 33.33% from games played at Championship level. Speed was initially barred from talking to Swansea City when they enquired about him becoming their new manager, but it seems United weren't so protective of their manager at a time when the Blades hover nervously over the relegation trap door. It has to be said that Speed was a great player and his is undoubtedly a legend in his own right to Welsh football, but other than that I can't really think of an outstanding attribute which warrants his appointment, plus good players don't always make good managers (especially at international level).
I know what you're thinking: Sparky. Is your memory of Welsh football really that bad, Joe? Not at all. Mark Hughes was a rookie and fresh into management but he proved to be a good choice as Welsh boss. His attacking style of football was great to watch, the crowds were back as we beat the Azzurri and we were achingly close to qualifying. However times have changed; Hughes had a host of Premiership players at his disposal - Davies, Delaney, Savage - whilst Speed will have a largely young squad. The tabloid reports of Speed's 'open door' to invite the Toshack exiles and early retirements back into the fold shows he already aware of that fact.
Before Toshack became Wales boss he was famous for his harsh words about the Hughes regime as a BBC pundit. Now we have yet another former pundit, but at least Speed wasn't as critical whilst working in the Sky studio. His comments on the whole showed he does have a very acute tactical understanding of the game - but let's hope he leaves the long ball in Sheffield before his first game against the Irish in February.
