‘Welsh-only’ policy for managers shows a lack of ambition

RYAN Giggs has been appointed as the new Wales manager this week, with Cardiff City legend Craig Bellamy apparently running him very close for the role.

But for me, it’s wrong that they were the final two candidates to choose from.

With Craig, you’ve got a situation where he has gone into kids football, Under-23s football with Cardiff, he has been in there two minutes and has never managed a first-team game... yet he is already being touted for the international job.

What people need to understand is managing players like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey requires a certain level of experience.

So, if you gave me those two candidates – Bellamy and Giggs – to pick from, then Ryan is slightly ahead of Craig. He’s inexperienced too though, despite his glittering playing career with Manchester United.

Personally, that’s why I’m an advocate of that job – and let’s not forget Welsh expectations have gone up immeasurably since they reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals – going to the best candidate possible, Welsh or not Welsh.

I don’t see why you would continue to restrict yourself by stipulating that the manager must be Welsh. I just don’t get that.

I remember Chris Coleman saying the person to succeed him must be Welsh, must have that passion and all that. Jonathan Ford also suggested he’d like the next manager to be Welsh.

But imagine if Chris Coleman went to Italy after he left Sunderland and couldn’t get a job because they said ‘sorry, we only have Italian managers.’

It’s a foolish argument in my opinion.

Once you’ve reached a semi-final and stamped your authority on the international scene, you’ve opened yourself up to the world and lots of people would surely be interested in taking the Wales job. People with technical ability, experience, big names in the game.

The Football Association of Wales would then be able to increase what they can pay, due to the extra exposure they get and the greater success of the team. It would be a win-win situation.

So, for me, it shows a lack of ambition. It’s too insular.

And we wouldn’t stand it if other countries said ‘we don’t allow Welsh managers.’ I’m afraid that’s something you just can’t say in this day and age.

I think the FAW have given themselves a problem – or are setting themselves up for a future problem, should I say – with the ‘only Welsh’ policy.

But, yes, from the final two candidates, I’d have taken Ryan over Craig.

Craig isn’t experienced at all, whereas Ryan at least has some management and coaching experience with United. It’s not a personality contest, it’s about football and football alone.

But that FAW policy needs to be reconsidered for the good of Welsh football going forward. Only then can they hire the best person for the job.