Speed's patience finally pays off

The former Wales international was speaking to BBC Two Wales about the summer approach from Swansea City about possibly discussing their vacant manager's job.

Sheffield United had swiftly rejected the request and Speed, despite being keen to strike out on his own after two years on the Bramall Lane coaching staff, was in philosophical mood that his chance would come.

What he could not have predicted, however, was just how soon an opening would develop courtesy of Kevin Blackwell leaving the club.

Saturday's 3-0 defeat to QPR was the catalyst for Speed to fly out to Spain to meet Blades chairman Kevin McCabe and be offered the top job at the Lane.

He duly accepted and will be back at the club this morning for a meeting with the United players, who were yesterday given the day off.

Speed will then meet the media before continuing the preparations for his managerial bow against Middlesbrough on Sunday in front of the live Sky cameras.

Before taking his place in the dugout at the Riverside, he will no doubt reflect on a journey that has taken him from Leeds United's youth team to achieving a long-held ambition of moving into management.

Speed's debut as a teenager came in a dour goalless draw with Oldham Athletic at Elland Road in May, 1989.

To say the season had petered out for Howard Wilkinson's Leeds was an understatement, the previous game having seen captain Mark Aizlewood react to the disgruntlement of the home fans by flicking a 'V' sign that was more Harvey Smith than Winston Churchill.

The Welsh youngster, painfully shy in interviews, went on to become a mainstay of the Leeds side that followed promotion in 1990 by clinching the league title two years later.

That pipping of Manchester United would prove to be the only major trophy of his career, though he did finish on the losing side in three domestic finals – the 1996 League Cup showpiece against Aston Villa with Leeds and Newcastle United's back-to-back visits to Wembley in the FA Cup.

Speed made more than 300 appearances for Wilkinson before moving to Everton, the club he had supported as a boy, in 1996.

It was here that Joe Royle became the second of 15 managers that Speed would eventually play for, other notable influences being Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United, Sam Allardyce with Bolton Wanderers and Mark Hughes for Wales.

All made a distinct impression on Speed, as did Gordon Strachan during their days together at Leeds.

A young Speed noted how well the Scot looked after himself in terms of diet and preparing for games, and followed suit throughout his own career.

It was a major factor in him being able to prolong his own time in the top flight until the age of 38 despite the game having become faster and more athletic than when Strachan had led Leeds to the title.

Now, the former Wales international's priority is enjoying an equally long career in management.

The new Blades chief will outline his vision for the future to his players today before getting down to work on the training pitch.

In doing so, he will have to make what can be an awkward step up from coach to manager.

Going from being the bridge between players and manager – and, therefore, everyone's friend – to the man with the ultimate say has proved beyond many.

A big plus in Speed's favour is that, having made more than 800 appearances as a player and been a coach with both United and Bolton, little is likely to come as a surprise

It was something he acknowledged in the interview with BBC Wales Two earlier this month, saying: "I am away from the firing line as the manager takes all the shots. The buck stops with him."

Speed will have that point reinforced come Sunday.

SPEED'S PATH TO BLADES' TOP JOB

Started his career at Leeds United, helping the club to promotion from the Second Division in 1990 and then the league title two years later.

His international debut came in 1990 as a substitute against Costa Rica, the first of 85 appearances for Wales. Scored seven goals.

Joined Everton in 1996 after making almost 300 appearances for Leeds but spent just 18 months at Goodison Park before being signed by Newcastle United.

Went on to make 535 appearances in the Premier League for Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton before moving to Sheffield United on January 1, 2008.

Made 38 appearances for the Blades, though his playing days were curtailed by a persistent back injury that led him to coaching at Bramall Lane.

Was in the running to take over Hull City and Swansea City during the summer before finally being appointed Blades manager yesterday.