This week saw Speed succeed Toshack, who himself replaced Hughes as manager in 2004. Fulham boss Hughes came within a whisker of leading his country to a first major championship since 1950 but Toshack failed to build on his predecessor's work. Hughes hopes Speed, who captained Wales during his time in charge, can make a similar impact to that he himself made when he took the job 11 years ago. "He's got a strong personality, he's good with people," said Hughes. "He'll want to work closely with the players and I think that they'll understand he was a top player himself. "They'll have a memory of that because they're a young group. "They'll relate better to Gary than they perhaps did to the previous manager." He added: "He's a young manager who will have the energy and the drive to push Welsh football forward. "Unfortunately, in recent times, it's gone backwards and it's been a difficult time to be a Welsh fan. "They've got a crop of young players who, you anticipate if it all comes together, they can produce good result. "I think it's a great appointment and I wish Gary well because he was a great captain for me, a Welsh player and a great team-mate in the side as well in his earlier years. "It's a difficult job. At times, you get really frustrated by things you would like to do and sometimes you're not able to, but if you get it right it's an outstanding job." Hughes revealed Speed had already tried to touch base with his former mentor. "He's been in touch. I'm going to get him to contact me but he's spoken to my coaching staff," he said. "I'm really pleased with that appointment. "As a Welshman, I think it's a great appointment."
