Savage warns off Toshack

"Savage would have been better advised to say nothing. Whoever the manager is, you should be proud to play for your country," James told BBC Sport.

"Just because it's not your choice, there's no point throwing the toys out of the pram.

"If he wants to retire then fine, we'd be better off without him."

Savage claimed he was talking on behalf of the whole Wales squad when he advised the Football Association of Wales to appoint Speed as manager.

He also claimed John Toshack, a favourite among Welsh fans for the job, would find it difficult to work with some of the players who he has criticised in his role as a BBC Sport pundit.

The Birmingham midfielder insists he is happy to play for Wales under any manager, but James believes Savage has "backed himself into a corner" by voicing his support for Speed publicly.

With the greatest respect to the other so-called candidates, no-one can hold a candle to John Toshack Leighton James

"There are a few players who are very pro Speed," added James, who won 54 caps for Wales. "They're probably under the misconception that he would favour them. I don't think Speed would.

"He would make his own decisions. It's interesting that the ones shouting their mouth off are possibly the ones Toshack would not take a shine to.

"Maybe Savage and Craig Bellamy should take a leaf out of the book of the more experienced players and say nothing until the appointment is made."

James says Toshack's experience and knowledge makes him the obvious and best choice to take over a struggling Wales side, and he believes Speed would make a perfect assistant.

"With the greatest respect to the other so-called candidates, no-one can hold a candle to Toshack," said James.

"He's been good enough to manage Real Madrid twice. That tells you something about the capabilities of the man. And who better for Speed to learn from?

"I've got the utmost respect for Gary as a person and certainly as a player. But as a coach, we don't know."