Legacy of Speed for Dragons
WALES are heading to the World Cup fuelled by foundations laid by the late Gary Speed.
Fitness guru Raymond Verheijen was drafted in as Speed’s assistant in 2011 and oversaw the Dragons’ rise by 69 places in FIFA’S World Rankings in the following 12 months.
The Dutchman – previously involved at eight major international tournaments – offers an insight into Speed’s Wales dream and how his work with Louis van Gaal and Guus Hiddink helped set them on the path to a first World Cup appearance since 1958.
Verheijen, 50, said: “It was a very young squad, but, at the same time, it was obvious that they had a lot of potential.
“What we did was create a culture that would allow these talents to fulfil their potential because Wales had talented players before, but the environment that was necessary to really perform at the highest level was missing.
“That was my main task when Gary asked me to join. He was looking for somebody who had been at that level many times in different cultures.
“The progress was almost too good to be true because we went from 117th to 48th in the world, which was confirmation of the potential of that squad.
“To see those players develop in the years after 2011 was really impressive.
“I’m happy for them that they can play a World Cup for the first time because some are also reaching the last phase of their international career.”
Four of Speed’s former lieutenants, including captain Gareth Bale, are still regular fixtures in Wales’ squad ahead of their November 21 opener with the US.
Should they progress from Group B, current boss Rob Page’s side could face a knockout date with Verheijen’s native Holland, where his old boss Van Gaal, 71, is aiming to bow out on a high.