Giggs rules himself out of Wales job

Ryan Giggs ended speculation he might become the next Wales manager on Thursday by insisting he intends to concentrate solely on his career as a footballer with Manchester United.

The Welsh winger did not rule out the possibility of one day taking charge of the national side but said now was not the time.

Giggs’s name has been in the frame ever since John Toshack quit as Wales boss at the start of this month.

Former Manchester United star Mark Hughes took on the Wales job while still playing for Southampton but, with United in the Champions League, Giggs has no intention of following that example.

“I am playing for Manchester United and am fully focused on that,” said Giggs at the launch of his autobiography, Ryan Giggs: My Life, My Story.

“I just don’t think you can do the two, especially at a club like United.

“I know Mark Hughes did them but it is a little bit different when you are playing Champions League.”

However, the 36-year-old has been taking his UEFA coaching badges in preparation for the day when playing is no longer an option and managing a team is a realistic proposition.

“One day I would like to do it but I didn’t think about it this time,” said Giggs. “Before I get any job I want to get all the necessary qualifications, I wouldn’t take a job until I had them.

“I am halfway through my UEFA ‘A’ Licence at the moment, the idea being that I will be ready for it when I do finish.”

However, he added: “I honestly don’t know whether I would like it. Until you try it, how can you?

“I will probably either love it or hate it. I enjoy helping young players and being out on the training ground. I enjoy the buzz of the game.

“But when you are not playing you are going to lose all that. How do you get it back? Coaching or managing.”