Welsh football chiefs are hoping to persuade Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs to become national manager, replacing Gary Speed, who took his own life last month, media reports said yesterday.

The Welsh FA is set to make an approach next month, according to The Sun newspaper, which quoted a “Wales insider” as saying: “Ryan has never managed but he’s seen as a natural successor to Gary. At 38, he’s the right age to be on the same wavelength as our young team.”

Wales’ next game is set to be a friendly on February 29 with Costa Rica as mooted opponents.

Giggs is angling for another one-year contract at Old Trafford, which could mean any Welsh engagement would initially be part-time. The veteran has been with United for 23 years and extended his record of scoring in each campaign since the inception of the Premier League with his goal in Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Fulham.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated that he believes Giggs has another year in him.

“There is no evidence at this moment in time that his energy, stamina or speed are decreasing,” Ferguson said. “In fact, it’s exactly the same as it was the last two or three years. It’s amazing.”