Ryan Giggs EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United legend refutes claims he is waiting for Premier League job, saying level doesn’t matter for managerial opportunity

Ryan Giggs has told talkSPORT he is not waiting for a Premier League job, and is willing to look further down the English football pyramid to be given a managerial opportunity.

The Manchester United legend has denied claims he is refusing to entertain talks with clubs in the Championship and below, as he believes he deserves a chance to manage at the highest level of the game.

Nottingham Forest are one club said to have sounded out Giggs, 43, over becoming their new head coach in early 2017, but nothing came of the rumoured approach.

A few months prior to that, the former Wales international was linked with taking charge at Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal’s successor, having spent a short spell in charge of the Red Devils as interim boss in 2013/14.

Reports suggested links to the Man United job may have gone to his head, but Giggs has refuted these claims - admitting he is still ready to accept an approach from a club at any level.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Giggs said: “I think after speaking to owners or chief execs [sic], and they excite and motivate you, it doesn’t matter what level.

“I think a lot of things have been said about me that I would only coach in the Premier League - that’s not the case.

“I would rather coach a League Two team in which philosophy and ambitions match mine rather than going in to the Premier League and firefighting and the owners don’t give you a chance.

“I’d much prefer that, especially it being my first job.”

Aside from links with United, Forest and a rumoured interest in Giggs from Southampton, Swansea were keen to hire Giggs before Bob Bradley was hired as head coach in late 2016.

Giggs revealed the approach from the Welsh club is the only one that has led to further talks.

He continued: “I think at the start I said I wanted to take a year out, but if there were offers I’d be stupid not to look at them and have a chat to various clubs.

“It only happened once, with Swansea.

“I’ve been linked with every other club in the country who has lost their manager, but Swansea was the only realistic one.

“That didn’t materialise, and I’m still in the same situation really - enjoying where I am in my life at the moment, but also if there is a club, willing to talk and share the same philosophy as me, then we will chat.”

Ryan Giggs is encouraging the public to nominate their grassroots football champion in the People’s Award for the McDonald’s Community Awards. As part of the McDonald’s Community Awards, the esteemed People’s Award, which is now in its sixth year, gives the public a chance to show their appreciation for a local hero by crowning them national champion.

Voting for the People’s Award in England and Wales is now open at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards

The winners, who receives the highest number of supporting votes, will be announced at the 2017 Community Awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium for England and at Cardiff City Stadium on 2nd September for Wales.