Gary Speed insists he decided to resign from his role as first-team coach at Bolton to concentrate on playing.
Bolton midfielder says he resigned from his coaching role
Gary Speed insists he decided to resign from his role as first-team coach at Bolton to concentrate on playing.
Sammy Lee announced on Thursday that the veteran midfielder had been
relieved of his coaching duties in order to focus on his game.
However, Speed has contradicted his manager by saying he stood down from the position given to him at the end of last season.
"It was my decision," the 38-year-old told The Bolton News. "I decided it wasn't working out. I want to concentrate totally on my football."
Contract concerns
Speed has revealed he had been set to sign a new deal which would have kept him at Bolton as player-coach until 2009.
The midfielder now fears the one-year contract extension will no longer be on the table at The Reebok Stadium.
"I was offered an extra year on my contract, which took the coaching role into account," Speed said. "It had all been agreed but not signed. That might not be there now."
No problems
Speed has been left out of Bolton's last two games at home to FK Rabotnicki in the Uefa Cup and the Premier League fixture against Chelsea.
The former Wales international insists he is completely committed to The Trotters despite recent events.
"I have no problem with being left out of the team," he added. "He's the manager, he makes the decisions and if he feels that's what's best for the team, that's fine by me.
"It's up to me to work hard and get back in the team and give 100 per cent, as I always do.
"It was disappointing to be left out, but the lads did great on Sunday and, to a certain extent, his decision was shown to be a good one - apart from the result."
