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Gary Speed has emerged as a target for the Football Association of Wales as it seeks a successor to former national team boss John Toshack.
The FAW wants to interview the former Wales captain, 41, who has been in charge of Sheffield United since taking over from Kevin Blackwell in August.
Former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback is also in the running to replace Toshack.
Sheffield have issued a statement saying the Welsh interest in Speed is: "very unhelpful and unwelcome".
"I haven't heard anything," said Speed when asked about the Wales vacancy on Thursday. "It's nothing, just speculation, so I have nothing to say on that.
"I haven't got time to be flattered about the link because I have just found out about it. I don't know anything about it."
Speed also insisted he was "happy" at Bramall Lane despite the club's precarious position just two points above the Championship relegation zone.
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"I am just looking forward to Saturday and trying to prepare the team," he said ahead of the weekend trip to Barnsley. "I have got enough on my plate."
In the club statement Sheffield United chief executive Trevor Birch said: "The speculation is unhelpful as Gary has only one thing on his mind at the moment and that is to prepare the team for the derby game against Barnsley at the weekend.
"Although unwelcome, the Welsh Football Association's interest is quite understandable as he's not only Welsh but also a manager with a great future ahead of him.
"Gary has not been approached and there is no discussions planned."
The FAW has interviewed four of the candidates on its shortlist and hopes to name a successor to Toshack, who stood down in September, before Christmas.
Among the candidates are Lagerback, who coached Sweden to three European Championships and two World Cup finals in his nine years at the helm, and Brian Flynn, who took temporary charge of Wales for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland in October.
BBC Sport understands that former Fulham manager Chris Coleman, sacked by Championship side Coventry City in May and currently out of a job, and former Wales striker John Hartson have also been interviewed by the Welsh FA.
But Coleman has been linked with Greek side Larissa who want him as their manager.
Coleman's agent Alan Smith confirmed to BBC Sport: "They [Larissa] have approached Chris and are very keen.
"But Chris is still hopeful he will be offered the Welsh job he had an interview this week for and this is ambition and main aim. We are waiting on Welsh FA."
Ex-Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez and current Wrexham boss Dean Saunders, who was part of Toshack's coaching team, are also in the frame.
A six-man committee has been appointed to interview candidates and recommend a successor.
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Sport Wales archive: Speed on Wales
Welsh FA chief executive Jonathan Ford then has the executive power to make the approach to the chosen candidate and appoint him as Welsh football's top man.
Speed, capped 85 times by Wales, was also a target for Swansea back in the summer.
The Welsh club had two approaches for the former Leeds, Newcastle, Everton and Bolton midfielder turned down by Sheffield United in July when Speed was part of Blackwell's coaching staff.
The Swans went on to appoint Brendan Rodgers as Paulo Sousa's successor, while Speed was eventually promoted to Blades manager when Blackwell departed after a disappointing start to the season.
Since Speed's appointment, United have won six times in 17 games.
Wales are currently bottom of their qualifying group for Euro 2012, losing all three matches they have played.
Their next Group G qualifier is against England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 26 March.
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The FAW wants to interview the former Wales captain, 41, who has been in charge of Sheffield United since taking over from Kevin Blackwell in August.
Former Sweden boss Lars Lagerback is also in the running to replace Toshack.
Sheffield have issued a statement saying the Welsh interest in Speed is: "very unhelpful and unwelcome".
"I haven't heard anything," said Speed when asked about the Wales vacancy on Thursday. "It's nothing, just speculation, so I have nothing to say on that.
"I haven't got time to be flattered about the link because I have just found out about it. I don't know anything about it."
Speed also insisted he was "happy" at Bramall Lane despite the club's precarious position just two points above the Championship relegation zone.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
"I am just looking forward to Saturday and trying to prepare the team," he said ahead of the weekend trip to Barnsley. "I have got enough on my plate."
In the club statement Sheffield United chief executive Trevor Birch said: "The speculation is unhelpful as Gary has only one thing on his mind at the moment and that is to prepare the team for the derby game against Barnsley at the weekend.
"Although unwelcome, the Welsh Football Association's interest is quite understandable as he's not only Welsh but also a manager with a great future ahead of him.
"Gary has not been approached and there is no discussions planned."
The FAW has interviewed four of the candidates on its shortlist and hopes to name a successor to Toshack, who stood down in September, before Christmas.
Among the candidates are Lagerback, who coached Sweden to three European Championships and two World Cup finals in his nine years at the helm, and Brian Flynn, who took temporary charge of Wales for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland in October.
BBC Sport understands that former Fulham manager Chris Coleman, sacked by Championship side Coventry City in May and currently out of a job, and former Wales striker John Hartson have also been interviewed by the Welsh FA.
But Coleman has been linked with Greek side Larissa who want him as their manager.
Coleman's agent Alan Smith confirmed to BBC Sport: "They [Larissa] have approached Chris and are very keen.
"But Chris is still hopeful he will be offered the Welsh job he had an interview this week for and this is ambition and main aim. We are waiting on Welsh FA."
Ex-Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez and current Wrexham boss Dean Saunders, who was part of Toshack's coaching team, are also in the frame.
A six-man committee has been appointed to interview candidates and recommend a successor.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Sport Wales archive: Speed on Wales
Welsh FA chief executive Jonathan Ford then has the executive power to make the approach to the chosen candidate and appoint him as Welsh football's top man.
Speed, capped 85 times by Wales, was also a target for Swansea back in the summer.
The Welsh club had two approaches for the former Leeds, Newcastle, Everton and Bolton midfielder turned down by Sheffield United in July when Speed was part of Blackwell's coaching staff.
The Swans went on to appoint Brendan Rodgers as Paulo Sousa's successor, while Speed was eventually promoted to Blades manager when Blackwell departed after a disappointing start to the season.
Since Speed's appointment, United have won six times in 17 games.
Wales are currently bottom of their qualifying group for Euro 2012, losing all three matches they have played.
Their next Group G qualifier is against England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 26 March.
Print Sponsor
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software