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It's official - Gary Speed is Sheffield United's new boss - VIDEO
GARY Speed has signed a three year deal with Sheffield United - as club bosses backed his 'exciting plans' for the future.
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VIDEO: Watch our video of the full press conference at Bramall Lane and to see fan reactions to Gary Speed as the new Blades manager.
The 40-year-old former Wales international was unveiled as the Blades boss at a press conference at Bramall Lane.
Speed said: "I am delighted that my first managerial role is with the Blades, a club I know well, and I have enjoyed my two and half years here.
"I'd like to thank the board for putting faith in me to take the club forward following on from Kevin Blackwell's hard work."
Trevor Birch, United's chief executive, added: "We have moved decisively and quickly to appoint the right man to take Sheffield United forward.
"He has exciting plans for the club and we will do everything within our power to back him."
Speed had made no attempt to disguise his managerial ambitions since arriving in South Yorkshire over two years ago.
Swansea approached United about the possibility of taking him to the Liberty Stadium following Paulo Sousa's departure earlier this summer.
READ MORE OF TODAY'S BLADES NEWS: Gary Speed's Sheffield United reign begins in Spain; New boss must be given time, say fans; McCabe lands his man; AND Every manager knows that bother beckons
United, though, refused them permission to open talks and just how highly regarded Speed was by the hierachy at Bramall Lane is today now clear.
The Blades parted company with previous manager Kevin Blackwell at the weekend following Saturday's 3-0 home defeat to QPR - a match which took place in front of their potential Malaysian investor.
Speed, who was part of the Leeds United team which won the league title in 1992, held the record for most Barclays Premier League appearances - 535 - before being overtaken by David James and Ryan Giggs.
He joined United as a player shortly before Blackwell's arrival but his playing days were curtailed due to a persistent back injury, a situation which convinced him to focus solely on coaching duties.
However, a selection crisis saw him named as a substitute for United's Carling Cup first-round tie at Hartlepool last week.
Speed's first task will be to prepare United for Sunday's visit to big-spending Middlesbrough.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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