Swansea Want Speed?

Gary Speed. Time for a crack at management?

When a team is interviewing managers they usually keep it quiet and keep everyone guessing. Swansea are no exception. Today they revealed their shortlist of managerial candidates is down to six. Two names on that list are heavily rumored to be Gary Speed and Aidy Boothroyd. One has no experience and one has some and a style not exactly suited to the Swans passing game.


When Roberto Martinez peeked over the fence and saw that the grass could be greener on Wigan's side he left Swansea in a bit of a hole. You see, Swansea were a very good team last season. They passed the ball and played some very good football. This was all Martinez' doing. He was building a side for a promotion push and many were impressed by his players and by his ability to get 100% week in and week out. Now the Swans have a big decision to make.

The BBC says that Gary Speed has been approached by Swansea. While having no experience in management, Speed does have over 600 appearances for top clubs and 85 for his country, not to mention plenty of heart. He is also qualified, by taking his UEFA pro coaching license. A risky move no doubt but this is not their only option. 5 others are being considered including Aidy Boothroyd. While Boothroyd has a very good reputation in the game and took his only club, Watford, to the Premier League, he favors a dreadful style of football. One that certainly won't be welcome in Wales after the Roberto Martinez era. Boothroyd basically signs giant players and lumps the ball forward, bypassing the midfield and any attempt at passing football. Before leaving Watford he did show intent to change the way that the Hornets played, but many doubted his ability to do so and out he went.


Tisdale. Success at Exeter.

Also in the frame is Exeter manager Paul Tisdale. This would appear to be a logical choice. Tisdale has just taken Exeter on a journey of back to back promotions, not unlike the journey Swansea have taken under Martinez. Tisdale is a man manager like Martinez also. Swansea, like Exeter, is not a team filled with stars and big time Charlies. Rather a team of players who play for each other. I'm sure the move would be attractive to Tisdale, especially as his League One side have just been raped of two of their best players in Matt Gill (to Norwich) and Dean Moxey (to Derby).

Another bookies favorite for the hot seat is former translator, I mean assistant manger, (and Chelsea player) Gustavo Poyet. Poyet is looking for a managerial position after several years as the second fiddle. Swansea may need to move soon to keep their squad happy. Silly season( the summer transfer window) is well under way and one of their players has already decided to jump ship, turning down a new contract offer, even moving down a division to join my beloved Norwich. Welsh international Owain Tudor-Jones is rumored to be in Norwich today, taking a medical.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says he would like to have a new manager in place by the end of the week.