Sheffield United have given Swansea permission to speak with Gary Speed about the soon to be vacant manager's job at the Liberty Stadium.
Speed, 39, coach under Kevin Blackwell at Bramall Lane since being sidelined by a back injury in November, is one of several candidates Swansea have approached following Roberto Martinez's decision to succeed Steve Bruce as manager at former club Wigan.
Blades manager Blackwell told the Yorkshire Post: "We would never deny anyone an opportunity to further their career and if Gary feels that this would, we won't stand in his way."
Blackwell continued: "He may speak to them and decide that he wants to stay with us, which would be great news as far as I am concerned. But it is important Gary has no regrets."
Speed, who has played for Everton, Newcastle and Bolton after starting his career at Leeds, joined the Blades, initially on loan in January 2008, before completing a permanent £250,000 transfer soon after.
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