Ryan Giggs' heartbreak over Wales job was realised when he spotted something on TV

Ryan Giggs has opened up on the heartbreaking moment he saw his Wales side celebrate a goal without him during Euro 2020, with the former Manchester United star watching on from home

Ryan Giggs has opened up on contrasting emotions as he watched Wales play out 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 against Croatia. However, following his arrest on suspicion of assault in November 2020 - charges he always denied and was later cleared of - Giggs temporarily stepped down from his role 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 while Giggs watched the games from home. And in a recent appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Giggs shared his feelings of joy quickly turning into heartbreak as he watched his team celebrate their achievements 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." To which, Giggs replied: "Yeah, I mean, it was heart-breaking.

"It was obviously a very difficult time because I'm watching it on TV. 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," reports Wales Online.

When Ferdinand asked: "Should have been me?" Giggs added: "Yeah, a bit of that. So, it was a bit...yeah, it was a difficult time."

Page managed to guide Wales to the round of 16 of Euro 2020, where they were knocked out by Denmark following a 4-0 defeat. Under his stewardship, Wales also qualified for the 2022 World Cup but ended at the bottom of their group stage, while they missed qualification for Euro 2024 altogether.

Craig Bellamy then succeeded Page as manager last July. Throughout his time as Wales manager, Giggs' record included 12 victories, five draws, and eight losses.

He temporarily stepped away from his duties following his arrest in 2020, before officially resigning two years later. Giggs was ultimately cleared of his charges in July 2023 following a withdrawal from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Listen to the full Rio Meets Ryan Giggs interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.