Ryan Giggs was snubbed in his attempts to start a management career after Swansea fired Francesco Guidolin on his birthday and hired the American Bob Bradley.
Manchester United legend Giggs was confident of landing his first permanent post having held an interview with Swans chairman Huw Jenkins last week.
But after Swansea axed Guidolin on Monday morning, the US-based owners turned instead to Bradley, who will become the first American to manage in the Premier League.
It is a crushing blow for Giggs, who was understood to have pencilled in a backroom team — to be led by former United team-mate Nicky Butt — in the event of landing the job.
However, concerns about his lack of experience and an underwhelming interview scuppered Giggs’s chances.
The Welshman was United’s interim manager for four games in 2014, which was not enough to convince Swansea to hand him responsibility for saving the club from relegation.
Club sources revealed on Monday that Bayern Munich assistant manager Paul Clement was also interviewed for the post, as was former Villarreal boss Marcelino.
Of the four, Jenkins favoured Giggs initially but the club’s American owners had reservations.
They wanted to give Guidolin more time, having handed him a two-year deal in the summer, but ultimately they pulled the plug.
Guidolin’s sacking was confirmed while the Italian was away visiting his homeland for a short holiday.
His dismissal came after Swansea suffered a fifth defeat in seven league games against Liverpool on Saturday.
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