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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Leach

Wales boss Ryan Giggs reveals how Nations League fixtures could change

Wales boss Ryan Giggs is bracing himself for the prospect of facing a number of intense international triple-headers later this year.

His side were looking forward to their second European Championship on the bounce this year before Euro 2020 was pushed back into the summer of 2021.

The former Manchester United star was getting his plans straight for important games against Turkey, Italy and Switzerland in July - but will now face the managerial headache of pushing his side to secure qualification to the 2022 World Cup while doing battle at a major tournament.

And Giggs expects international breaks to feature three games on the spin for Wales instead of two once football returns to normality after the coronavirus break.

“It’s strange for us as we were looking forward to the Euros this summer which has now been put back a year,” he explained, as he chatted with Sky Sports’ Football Show.

“It’s not the end of the world and we want people to get back to normality sooner rather than later.

“For me, it’s not as problematic as it is and has been for managers in the Premier League. I have just got to plan further ahead than I normally would and we’ll get back to work when the Premier League starts.”

He continued: “The play-offs for the Euros needs to be played and we have the Nations League as well.

Aaron Ramsey of Wales speaks with Ryan Giggs. (Harry Trump/Getty Images)

“This is an important time for international football and we’ve now got a condensed calendar with the Euros and the World Cup calendar.

“There has to be a plan - short term, medium term and long term - for international football because of all the football that needs to be played.

“There could be triple headers in autumn, and then a small window for play-offs.

“I already have managers ringing me when we have two games, now we could have three,” he said with a laugh.

“For me, as an international manager, my priority is on my football team.”

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