Chris Coleman not hopeful of Ryan Giggs making Wales return

Chris Coleman has ruled out making one final bid to lure Ryan Giggs back into the Wales squad.

Giggs quit international football in 2007 – but shelved his retirement to play for Team GB in this summer’s Olympics.

Still a star for Manchester United at the age of 38, the record-breaking midfielder was handed one of Stuart Pearce’s three over-age berths for the tournaments and awarded the captaincy.

But while his first taste of tournament football could tempt a last hurrah for his country as Wales bid to make the World Cup, Coleman says he won’t hold out too much hope.

Gary Speed made a play to try to get Giggs back in Wales red two years ago but boss Coleman said: “It would be great if he came back, but my head says that is not going to happen because he has signed another contract with Manchester United.

“He has done the Team GB thing because it is different and he wants to win a gold medal. That’s in Ryan’s nature.

“But I don’t see him coming back to play for Wales. It would be great if he did, but I don’t see it happening.”

Wales kick-off their bid to make it to Brazil in 2014 with crucial openers against Belgium and Serbia in September.

England boss Roy Hodgson came under fire earlier this summer for not trying to persuade Giggs’ fellow United veteran Paul Scholes out of retirement to aid their Euro 2012 hopes. And Giggs has previously given small hints he could return if he were needed. But Coleman said: “I’m sure if he wanted to come back he would pick the phone up. Tosh didn’t want him to go and he has been asked to come back by Gary.

“I wouldn’t put any pressure on Ryan. I’m sure if he wanted to come back, he would let me know.

“I respect him too much to put any extra pressure on him.”

Giggs’ final game on the international stage came in the 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic five years ago – before making himself available for Team GB duty this summer.

After quitting Wales, Giggs picked up three league titles to take his tally to 12, collected a second European Cup and was voted PFA Player of the Year in 2009.

But Coleman insists his club honours have actually shown he was right to call it a day with Wales, claiming his aim to extend his career has been achieved.

“It’s not just the games, it’s the travelling. In the last five years he has had more rest and it’s extended his career.”