WALES JOB A PERFECT FIT FOR ME – GIGGS
RYAN GIGGS has outlined why he believes he would be perfectly suited to starting his managerial career with Wales.
The Manchester United and Welsh great is one of the leading contenders for the job vacated by Chris Coleman, with Tony Pulis, Craig Bellamy and Osian Roberts also in the mix.
The FA of Wales are expected to conduct interviews early in the new year and hope to make an appointment before the end of January.
Giggs has come in for flak on social media from a section of the Welsh fan base who question his commitment to Wales after he pulled out of so many friendly internationals.
It was Sir Alex Ferguson who refused to release him, but that hasn’t stopped some supporters from turning on Giggs and also questioning why he thinks he should start at elite international level, rather than do the hard yards first in lowerdivision club management.
However, Giggs has addressed that issue, explaining he has no experience down the leagues and would find Wales a much better fit.
Asked if replacing Coleman was the ideal job, Giggs told The Times: “I think it would be. Wales is my country. International football is different.
“Gary Speed and Chris Coleman didn’t have much experience when they got the job. Mark Hughes didn’t have any.
“I know the players and the system.
“We’ve got a world-class player in Gareth Bale, some great players just beneath, some really good young players coming through like Ethan Ampadu and Ben Woodburn. “It would be a great job.” After making more appearances and winning more medals than anybody in Manchester United’s history, Giggs added: “I do feel I would be more suited to coaching at the top than coaching at the bottom.
“It’s a different job. I don’t have experience in the lower divisions. It’s not where I’ve worked in my career.
“I’ve spent my whole career in the Premier League – not just as a player but as a player-coach and assistant manager.”
Giggs had a brief spell as caretaker boss at Old Trafford when David Moyes left in 2014, before working as Louis Van Gaal’s number two.
“I wasn’t ready when I had those four games in charge at United, but I’m a lot better qualified to manage today after those two years with Louis.
“That was a fantastic experience,” he continued.
Giggs has ruled himself out of the running for the vacancy at Swansea City, but the club are continuing to hold discussions with a number of candidates to replace Paul Clement, who was dismissed on Wednesday.
Frank de Boer, Slaven Bilic and Aitor Karanka are among those being considered.
The Swans already had a list of potential names in mind prior to the decision to sack head coach Clement, but serious discussions with those candidates did not begin until the call was made to relieve the former Derby boss of his duties.