New snub for Giggs as Saints say no thanks

SOUTHAMPTON have no interest in appointing Ryan Giggs as their new manager.

The south-coast club are in the process of appointing a replacement for Claude Puel, who was sacked last Wednesday.

It was revealed last week that the former Manchester United winger saw Southampton as an ideal place to take his first steps in management. But in a second embarrassing snub in the space of nine months for the Welshman, who is desperate to begin his career in management, Southampton do not consider him experienced enough for the position and are exploring other options.

Giggs, 43, was rejected by Swansea, who were also concerned by his lack of experience, last October. Chairman Hew Jenkins favoured Giggs for the Swansea job but was left underwhelmed by his interview.

Giggs’s only experience as a No1 was as United’s interim manager for four games in 2014, following the dismissal of David Moyes, of which he won two and drew one.

The Mail on Sunday understand Giggs sounded out Southampton, through intermediaries, about his chances of landing the job when they were searching for Ronald Koeman’s successor last summer, after the Dutchman left for Everton, but was told they were not interested then and their position has not changed.

Southampton had identified former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who left the Bundesliga club last month despite winning the German Cup, as a possible alternative to Puel, but he wants to take charge of a club playing in the Champions League.

Southampton are keen on former Inter Milan and Ajax manager Frank De Boer, who they feel would help develop their young players.