John Hartson has yet to pick up any coaching or managerial experience

John Hartson believes Gary Speed will be a success as Wales manager but ruled out being part of his backroom staff.

Speed was unveiled by the Football Association of Wales on Tuesday as the replacement for John Toshack who stepped down in September.

Ex-Wales striker Hartson, 35, was interviewed for the job himself but is not prepared to give up his current commitments for a lesser role.

"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a tinge of disappointment," he said.

"At the end of the day I feel it couldn't have gone to a nicer man.

"I'm delighted for Gary and most of all it's gone to a Welshman because I felt the job needed a Welshman.

"I went for the job as manager. I've got other commitments and I would've given all them up to become manager but I've been offered lots and lots of roles to be a coach.

"Some are in the Premier League, some are in the Championship, some are in the Scottish League.

"But currently doing what I'm doing in terms of the media and all my other commitments to my foundation and everything, it wouldn't really interest me to be a coach."

Hartson, who scored 14 goals in 51 games for Wales between 1995 and 2005 thinks Speed could revive the country's fortunes as Mark Hughes did between 1999 and 2004.

Hughes had no managerial experience at the time but has since gone on to manage Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and is now in charge at Fulham.

Speed only has four months experience as manager of Sheffield United who he quit to take up the Wales job.

His record at the Blades was not enthralling losing half of his 18 games in charge, leaving them one point and two places above the Championship relegation zone.

But it's Speeds stature in Welsh football as a former captain and record-caps holder for an outfield player with 85 is what Hartson believes will stand him in good stead.

"I'm sure his strengths from playing will inspire a lot of players around him," added Hartson.

"Gary Speed will have the same effect [as Mark Hughes].

"People will look up to Gary because of the way he played and the way he conducts himself and I feel the players having respect for him will make them go the extra yard."

Wales are bottom of their qualifying group for Euro 2012, having lost all three matches they have played.

Their next Group G qualifier is against England on 26 March but first they face Republic of Ireland on 8 February in the Four Nations Cup.

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