It's weird that everybody assumes that the club did not offer him a contract but it may well be that he had requested this kind of contract so he could leave at the drop of a hat. He did say previously that he was very happy with the arrangement. Don't think anybody is privy to those conversations but Speakman did say he was offered and signed a new deal 4 weeks ago and then again when the Stoke interest came along. Don't know the amounts but he was very quick to accept which either means he was unhappy at the club or has been putting himself in the shop window waiting for somebody to one along. His career had stalled after being relegated from premiership but he got a lot of exposure working at Sland and it has earned him a contract at Stoke which he seems to want. All being all I think it is a backward step and I hope the club make the right appointment now no short termism or caretakers or any of that crap just go for who you want
