BWFC 24

Lee Verses Speed, The Meeting

Bolton manager, Sammy Lee, and First Team Coach, Gary Speed, had a second meeting, believed to be on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 to discuss their differences and how to resolve the problem.

Also in attendance were Phil Gartside and possibly Hayden Evans who is Gary Speed’s agent.

You’ve read the speculation now read the transcript.

SL : All right there ahhh-kid.
GS : Shut it shorty.
PG : Hello Gary. It is my understanding that you want to step down from your coaching role.
GS : That’s right Phil, I would like to step down as coach.
SL : OI SPEEDY – YOU’RE SACKED!
PG : [Ignores SL] Okay Gary, obviously I’m saddened by your decision to STEP DOWN AS COACH, but it is understandable.
SL : YOU’RE SACKED AND KNOW YOU ARE! YOU’RE SACKED AND YOU KNOW ARE!
PG : Look Gary, if you ever change your mind…
GS : I know Phil, thanks.
SL : YOU SACKED BASTARD, YOU SACKED BASTARD, HERE’S YOUR P45.
HE : [Nudges GS and whispers in his ear.]
GS : Right Phil, we’ve got to go. We’re having a dinner with an old mate over in Newcastle.
PG : That’s funny, Jussi said he was meeting a friend in Newcastle for dinner too. Anyone I know?
HE : [Nudges GS and whispers in his ear.]
GS : Hmm – got to go. Thanks.
SL : OI SPEEDY, YOU SMELL! [GS and HE leave the room gesticulating at SL.]
SL : HA! That told him.
PG : [Slaps LS] Look you annoying little scouser, I’ve not sacked anyone whilst I’ve been with this club. Not even McFarland.
SL : [Whimpering] W-W-What are you trying to say?
PG : Get three points at the next home match or you’ll be the first manager I’ve sacked.
SL : [Whimpering] W-W-What are you trying to say?
PG : YOU’RE SHIT AND KNOW YOU ARE! YOU’RE SHIT AND YOU KNOW ARE!

After the meeting Little Sam and Phil Gartside do manage to agree on one thing. Speed stepping down from his role would look bad for the club and issue a statement along the lines of, “I would like him [Speed] to focus on his game at this moment in time. I don’t want anything to distract him. Blah blah blah…”