"When I left Everton I had to sign a confidentiality clause. That says it all doesn't it?" Said Speed. "I still take stick from Everton fans because I have never been able to reveal the reasons for me leaving. Even if I hadn't signed that clause I wouldn't have said anything because I am still an Evertonian, looking out for their scores. As for Howard Kendall, I've met him a couple of times since. As a bloke, he's great but, as I say, there are things I can't go into."
The strongest rumor, and please remember that this is just that, is that Speed and another player came to training one morning and discovered notorious drinker Howard Kendall in his car very drunk indeed. They then had to place the manager in a cold shower to wake him up. True or now, i don't know, but one thing i do know is, Gary Speed is the very definaition of professional, and an Evertonian. Whatever his reasons for leaving were, i have no doubt they were very good ones.