Giggs interviewed for Wales job, but Bellamy and Roberts also in running
The Manchester United great remains in pole position to claim his first permanent management role
Ryan Giggs has been interviewed for the Wales manager’s job as the search for Chris Coleman’s successor nears its conclusion, Press Association Sport understands.
Giggs remains the favourite to succeed Coleman and return to football 18 months after leaving his coaching role at Manchester United.
But Craig Bellamy and Coleman’s former assistant Osian Roberts are also in contention for the position, with the Football Association of Wales keen on appointing a Welshman.
Giggs has been in pole position to claim his first permanent role in management since Coleman stepped down in November to take over at Sunderland.
The 44-year-old has many long-time admirers at the FAW and been linked with the role in the past.
But Giggs would not be a popular appointment with some Wales fans, who questioned his commitment during his 16-year international playing career.
Cardiff-born Giggs won 64 caps between 1991 and 2007 and captained his country.
But he was widely criticised for regularly pulling out of Wales squads and did not make his first appearance in an international friendly until March 2000.
He has also angered a section of Wales supporters by regularly appearing as a television pundit on England games since leaving United in the summer of 2016.
He spent the next two seasons as Louis van Gaal’s number two before Jose Mourinho was appointed United manager and he subsequently left the club.
Giggs lost out on the Swansea job to Bob Bradley after being interviewed for the manager’s role at the Liberty Stadium in October 2016.
It is understood that Bellamy and Roberts, who is the FAW’s technical director, also have their supporters at the Welsh FA.
He is currently cutting his coaching teeth at the Cardiff Academy and, as he shown in his role as a television pundit, is an erudite speaker on the game.
Roberts, from Anglesey, knows the Welsh system inside-out as he has worked throughout all age grades.
Roberts was at Coleman’s side as Wales reached the semi-final of Euro 2016 in France – the country’s best performance at a major tournament.
Newport-born Tony Pulis was also among the initial contenders to succeed Coleman, but he ruled himself out of the running when he became Middlesbrough manager last month.
