Ryan Giggs has confirmed he did meet with Swansea City to discuss the manager’s job but said the move did not happen because “their ambitions didn’t really match mine”.
The American Bob Bradley was appointed on 3 October to replace Francesco Guidolin, who was sacked following a poor start to the season. Bradley has confirmed he met with Swansea’s American owners and the chairman, Huw Jenkins, on two occasions while Guidolin was still in charge.
It has been reported Giggs was also interviewed but was not offered the job, with his lack of experience among the club hierarchy’s concerns. The Daily Mail reported Giggs had planned a backroom team, including his former Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt, but was overlooked after an “underwhelming” interview.
Speaking on ITV during a punditry stint for England’s game against Malta, the 42-year-old, who took charge of Manchester United for four games in 2014, implied he had his own reservations about the role, and complained of “mixed messages” from the club.
“There I was enjoying my year out … and I get the call off Swansea. I met with them a couple of times but in the end there was just mixed messages from the football side and the ownership side of the club,” Giggs told presenter Mark Pougatch. “I just felt their ambitions did not really match mine, so it didn’t quite work out.”
Giggs left United in July following the arrival of José Mourinho, ending a 29-year association with the club. He told ITV he plans to work in broadcasting over the next few months.
Bradley, who has described his appointment as a “special” opportunity for US football, begins his Swansea tenure with a trip to Arsenal on Saturday.
