With Stoke City boss Tony Pulis saying that he would “gladly” take charge of Wales for their February game against Costa Rica, we are reminded that, almost two months since the untimely and tragic passing of Gary Speed, the hot seat is still vacant. It would appear that finding a successor is seemingly as straightforward as coming to terms with the Welshman’s death.
With the former tenacious midfielder having been in the process of building a side that was very much representative of him – ambitious, young, dynamic, hungry, determined – the Welsh FA were always going to be faced with a difficultly delicate decision as to who could continue this legacy. However, with the players and fans keen to maximise the optimism that Speed left behind, there is clamour to have a manager installed soon.
But how do you replace a man that was doing a great job in delivering success, promise and results, a man who everybody – players, fans, FA bosses – were happy with? That is something that the Welsh FA could not have legislated for but the events of 27 November 2011, when he was found hanged, after apparently committing suicide, have meant that, after all the mourning has been done, they have a managerless national side.
One thing is for sure, the prodigious pack of players – led by their youngest ever captain, Arsenal’s obstinate midfielder, Aaron Ramsey – will be keen to see a like-minded manager given the job; someone with a bright future ahead of them, with a clear vision of how to play, ergo not regressing to the archaic tactics of Brian Flynn or John Toshack.
Alas, herein lies the problem: for a country with a population of just over three million, who is there that fits the bill? Gary Speed was meant to be the incumbent for many years to come, paving the way for a new generation of Welsh coaches to come through. But they are yet to materialise, and Wales have been left with a vacuum.
That is not to say they are bereft of candidates. Two, in particular, have been vocal in their desire to succeed the man from Wrexham, despite the fact that one of them, the self-styled favourite, is actually Dutch.
Raymond Verheijen previously worked as Gary Speed’s assistant, recruited almost as soon as Speed’s ascension was announced. And it’s clear to see why: coaching spells withSouth Korea, his nativeNetherlands, andRussia– as well as stints at European powerhousesBarcelona, Zenit St. Petersburg, Chelsea, and Manchester City – have allowed him to take in many tournaments and work with a plethora of world-class players. A great coup by the Welsh.