Toshack set to resign and backs Giggs to replace him

John Toshack saw his team lose to Montenegro (PA)

John Toshack is to resign as Wales manager in the next 48 hours, and is understood to have proposed Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs as the surprise choice to be his successor.

Toshack met officials from the Football Association of Wales yesterday in Cardiff to discuss his decision to step down as manager after six years in the job in the wake of Wales' 1-0 defeat to Montenegro in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier last week.

At the meeting he is believed to have recommended the appointment of Giggs, despite the 36-year-old's total lack of coaching experience. Senior figures at the FAW are thought to be keen on the idea as a way of reviving flagging interest in football in Wales. Giggs has often spoken of his desire to manage his country at some point, and has already taken his coaching badges.

However Giggs' playing contract at United runs until the end of the season, and he may yet decide to prolong his playing career for another year. Other candidates for the job would be Brian Flynn, the Under-21 coach, and Chris Coleman, who is out of work having been sacked by Coventry City in May.

Toshack could yet still be Wales manager for next month's qualifiers against Bulgaria in Cardiff on 8 October and then face Switzerland in Basle four days later as he is prepared to stay in charge while the FAW finds his successor. That situation would mean the new manager's first competitive game in charge would be against England in Cardiff next March.

Former Wales manager Bobby Gould yesterday urged Toshack to leave immediately and added that Giggs was too green to take over now.

Gould said: "I think if he [Toshack] is going to go he should go now. It has to be a clean break. I have the highest respect for Ryan Giggs and I think he will be a great Wales manager but it's just too soon for him. To put him in now would be very difficult as a managerial novice in a must-win situation. It could tarnish him."