FORMER Wanderers favourite Ivan Campo reckons Gary Speed is the ideal man to turn things round at the Reebok.

The popular Spaniard, now playing in Cyprus for AEK Larnaca, has been fiercely critical of Gary Megson’s time in charge of the club.

And, despite Owen Coyle being the firm favourite to take over at the Reebok, Campo has backed former team-mate Speed, now assistant to Kevin Blackwell at Sheffield United, to make the step up to full-time management.

Speed worked as a coach under Sammy Lee before stepping down to concentrate on his playing duties. He left the club after three-and-a-half years and 139 appearances to join the Blades, where he once again moved into a player-coach role.

Campo was not surprised by the decision to sack Megson on Tuesday and, having been released by the former Whites boss, felt little sympathy.

“I’m not surprised that Gary Megson has been sacked,” he said. “I thought he would have been let go much earlier.

“The players were not with him. They didn’t trust him and the style of football he played was far too simple. Bolton deserve better and I think an ideal candidate to replace him would be Gary Speed.

“I spoke to him last season and he is someone who is very keen to become a manager. I know his football philosophy would suit Bolton perfectly.

“He would have the respect of the players and the fans and he knows the club very well. He would be the perfect candidate if Bolton want a young, enthusiastic manager with a lot of passion.”