Speed Disappointed As Blades Reject Swans Approach

Gary Speed is interested in the manager's job at Swansea City, according to BBC Sport sources.

The 40 year-old, currently a coach at Sheffield United, is reported to have shown his disappointment after the Blades rejected our approach to speak with the former Wales international.

Speed has been the big favourite to replace Paulo Sousa this week, and has remained top of the bookies odds to take over at the Liberty Stadium.

A source said: 'Gary is very disappointed Sheffield United have refused him permission to talk to Swansea,'

'He wanted to [talk to Swansea] and fancied the job.

'He's been trying since Thursday to get them to change their mind given he only has one year left on his [Blades] coaching contract and has made it clear he would like the Swansea job.'

Graeme Jones, a former assistant manager, has also been strongly linked and despite chairman Huw Jenkins denying all speculation, BBC Sport believe he too is interested in the job.

Jenkins said recently that he is hoping to appoint Sousa's replacement by Monday, but this isn't looking likely at the moment. We could still be managerless when we travel to Hereford United on Tuesday night to play our second pre-season friendly.

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