In little doubt that the 39 year old will make the transition from player to manger with ease, Yorath thinks that Swansea and Speed are the perfect match as he revealed to the Western Mail, he said “Gary Speed would be the perfect man to take over at Swansea. I have no doubts at all he would do a great job for them. Gary is a fantastic professional and is very-well respected in the game. He has taken care of himself over the years as well.”
Commanding the respect of the players will be vastly important in the wake of Martinez's departure, but the 59 year old Margate manager has highlighted the achievements that Speed earned in his playing career as a marker of how that respect will be instantly received, “One of the good things about Gary is that as a player he achieved things at the very highest level so when he walks into a dressing room the players have respect for him straight away. If Swansea can get him I think it would be the right move definitely and a real coup for the club.”
He added, “He is a very intelligent man, a good reader of the game and in many ways he has been studying it for years.
“Let’s not forget either that Martinez was untried as a manager when he took over and he went on to make a very good job of it. I’m convinced Gary can do the same for the Swans.”
Continuing the brand of free flowing, cultured football seen over the last two seasons at the Liberty Stadium, Yorath does feel that the style of football will not change under Speed, “Gary is one of the few people I think who can help with that. He can inject a bit of excitement back into the club.He was always a player who liked to get the ball down and play the game and I think he can bring that into his management style.I think he can keep the same brand of football going there that Martinez did.”
“Martinez had a lot of good contacts in Spain when it came to players and Gary has the same sort of contacts in the English game.
“After a career like he has had Gary’s contacts and influence in the English game are top-notch. Swansea should pull out all the stops to get him on board.”
For full Story click the following link: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2009/06/11/yorath-backs-perfect-choice-speed-for-swansea-post-91466-23841204/
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.