Ryan Giggs has outlined how he went from major highs to substantial lows after spotting something while watching Wales at Euro 2020 on TV.
The former Manchester United star, who took over as manager of the Welsh national team in 2018, led the squad to qualify for the tournament with victories against Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, and a draw with Croatia. However, following his arrest on suspicion of assault in November 2020 – charges he was later cleared of – Giggs temporarily stepped down before officially resigning in 2022.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Euro 2020 was rescheduled to take place between June and July 2021, during which time Robert Page took charge of the team – leaving Giggs to watch the games from home. And during a recent appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Giggs shared the heart-wrenching moment he saw his team celebrating without him.
Ferdinand said: “You obviously go and manage well, and obviously managing, you manage them to qualification of a tournament but never got to see it out. How was that for you?
“Because you seem like… I can see now, the passion… the intent that you had, and not being able to see it through.” Giggs replied: “Yeah, I mean, it was heartbreaking.
“It was obviously a very difficult time because I’m watching it on TV.” He added: “I can’t remember if it was Turkey… and we scored late on, and I’m jumping around the front room, and then all of a sudden, I look at the TV, and it’s all the staff and players jumping in the dugout, and I’m gone. Sat down and gone.”
When Ferdinand suggested: “Should have been me?” Giggs responded: “Yeah, a bit of that. So, it was a bit… yeah, it was a difficult time.”
Under Page’s management, Wales reached the round of 16 at Euro 2020 before suffering a 4-0 defeat by Denmark. The manager also helped gain World Cup 2022 qualification for the nation, where they ultimately finished rock bottom of their group, before failing to make it to Euro 2024.
Craig Bellamy then took over from Page as Wales manager last July. In his time with Wales, Giggs secured 12 victories, tied five matches, and faced eight losses before he stepped away following his arrest in 2020. He then resigned completely two years later. In July 2023, Giggs was cleared as the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges against him.
Listen to the full Rio Meets Ryan Giggs interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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