Speaking at his first press conference since becoming Blades manager, Gary Speed said that taking the reins at Bramall Lane was 'too good an opportunity to turn down.'

The 40-year-old has penned a three-year to take over the hot seat and said he couldn't have lived with himself if he had passed up the chance. He was also quick to thank Kevin Blackwell for everything he has done for him over the last two years:

"It is a great opportunity I have been given to manage this fanatstic football club, which has such a great history and tradition.

"In an ideal world it would have happened in different circumstances and I owe an awful lot to Kevin Blackwell, I learned a lot from him and it was sad how things came to an end at the weekend.

"Despite that, this is too good an opportunity to turn down and I would have never forgiven myself if I hadn't given it a shot.

The change from player to coach and now to management is something Speed feels he is ready for. He adds: "Being a manger means you have to spend more time around the place and sometimes do things you don't want to do, but it is those things that can be the difference between success and failure.

"I am going to work as hard as I can to succeed, it is my first job and a big one, but I am fortunate to have a group of players here that want to be as successful as I do and I am really positive about the future.

"I spoke to my wife about the whole thing, but it was brief because she knew I was going to accept the job. I suppose she is going to be a long suffering manager's wife now, but she will give me plenty of support."

It has been a hectic last few days for the new Gaffer, who admits this has come totally out of the blue - he even admitted that he thought his time at Bramall Lane was over after the 3-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers.

"On Saturday night I thought I was out of a job, following the news about Kevin," said Speed. "Myself, Kevin and Sam had a great open relationship in that respect and we were all bitterly disappointed with the outcome at the weekend.

"Kevin was superb with me, when the club refused Swansea permission to speak to me, he was the first person I spoke to because I didn't want him to think I had an hidden agenda. He was 100 per cent behind me and very understanding, so I wish him all the best and I am sure he will make a swift return to football."