Manchester United's Ryan Giggs rules out return for Wales

• 37-year-old is former team-mate of manager Gary Speed
• 'If he needed help from me, that would be no problem,' he says

Ryan Giggs has ruled out a return to playing for Wales. But the 37-year-old has left the door open to a possible coaching role. Giggs retired from internationals in 2007 but the recent appointment as Wales manager of Gary Speed, a former team-mate, led to speculation that he could make a comeback.

"I am definitely not going to play again for Wales," Giggs said. "I am just concentrating on playing for United. I know Gary will do a great job – he was a great player – and if he ever needed any help, advice or anything from me, that would be no problem. I just wish him all the best and I hope he can get Wales winning."

Giggs made his debut for Wales in 1991 and went on to win 64 caps and captain the side. He stood down to concentrate on prolonging his Manchester United career. He has no immediate plans to retire.

When asked how long he felt he could continue playing, he said: "For the last two or three years we have reviewed it as the season has gone on to see what I'm doing next year and we'll do the same this season. At the moment I am enjoying it more than ever."

Giggs's priority is to help United win another Premier League title, which would be his 12th. United are unbeaten in the league and lead the table by two points, from Manchester City. Giggs said: "As a team I think we can improve but we are happy where we are and happy with our performances so far. We have got that resolve and that experience and good defenders that can keep out teams. We are happy with our position and hopefully we can get better."

Staff and agencies

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Sir Alex Ferguson praises Manchester United's 'incredible' Ryan Giggs
Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Ryan Giggs on the eve of the veteran's 1,000th senior game

Jamie Jackson

01, Mar, 2013 @11:00 PM

Article image
Ryan Giggs: five things Manchester United's interim manager must change | Jamie Jackson
Jamie Jackson: The temporary boss must rip up David Moyes' management manual and restore a more attacking philosophy

Jamie Jackson

25, Apr, 2014 @10:13 AM

Article image
Ryan Giggs a vital catalyst in Manchester United formula | David Pleat

David Pleat: Sir Alex Ferguson's squad gave a masterclass in unselfish passing and movement against West Ham

David Pleat

04, Apr, 2011 @6:01 AM

Article image
Manchester United's marathon man: Ryan Giggs reaches a thousand games | Daniel Taylor

Daniel Taylor: Ryan Giggs, the tearaway teen of Old Trafford who gave defenders 'twisted blood', has now become the greying elder statesman but he's still some player

Daniel Taylor

01, Mar, 2013 @8:59 AM

Article image
Ryan Giggs: My 20 years with Manchester United's first team

Ryan Giggs, who made his debut in 1991, talks candidly about early-day partying, media intrusion and asking Ferguson for a new car

Daniel Taylor

28, Feb, 2011 @10:15 PM

Article image
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs hails Louis van Gaal's pedigree
Manchester United's interim manager, Ryan Giggs, has hailed Louis van Gaal as having a 'fantastic pedigree' but the Welshman's own future remains cloudy

Jamie Jackson

02, May, 2014 @9:30 PM

Article image
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs is quick learner but 'outside comfort zone'

Ryan Giggs admitted leaving players out was 'really tough' after a 4-0 home win over Norwich in his first match as manager

Jamie Jackson at Old Trafford

27, Apr, 2014 @9:30 PM

Article image
Ryan Giggs: ‘It didn’t work for United but Van Gaal was brilliant for me’
The Wales manager discusses the loneliness of his job, what Manchester United should do next and why he turned to a psychologist

Donald McRae

17, Feb, 2019 @7:00 PM

Article image
Gary Speed to ask Ryan Giggs to make Wales comeback

Gary Speed, Wales's new manager, has opened the door to senior players such as Ryan Giggs to end their international retirement

Stuart James

14, Dec, 2010 @10:30 PM

Article image
Wales unlikely to tempt Ryan Giggs out of international retirement
Gary Speed's hopes of persuading Ryan Giggs out of international retirement have faded

Stuart James

15, Dec, 2010 @10:30 PM