FORMER Wales boss Bobby Gould says John Toshack should quit now rather than hang on in the hotseat, but he believes the job has come too soon for bookies’ favourite Ryan Giggs.

The Football Association of Wales refused to make any comment yesterday but national manager Toshack is widely expected to resign in the wake of Friday’s desperately disappointing defeat in Montenegro.

The 61-year-old looks likely to go after next month’s Euro 2012 qualifying double-header at home to Bulgaria and away to Switzerland – giving the FAW time to find the right replacement.

But Gould, who was in charge of Wales from 1995 to 1999, believes it’s unworkable for Toshack to take charge of such vital games under the current circumstances.

“I think if he’s going to go he should go now. It has to be a clean break,” said Gould, who handed in his resignation after a 4-0 defeat in Italy in qualifying for Euro 2000.

“He’ll know when it’s the end, just like I did in Bologna, and if he feels he can’t take the team any further then it’s up to him.

“He’s been unlucky with injuries to key players like Aaron Ramsey and individual errors like those from Wayne Hennessey and James Collins on Friday can make a big difference,” he added.

“But John was very heavy handed with the situation with the older players retiring when he first took over and that really didn’t help his cause.”

Manchester United star Ryan Giggs, who retired from playing for Wales in 2007, has been installed as the favourite to replace Tosh as manager but Gould insists that could be a disaster for all parties.

“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,” he explained.

“He’s still playing for Manchester United and I think it should be a full-time role managing your country.

“To put him in now would be very difficult as a managerial novice in a must-win situation. It could tarnish him.”

Gould was instrumental in the appointment of Mark Hughes as his successor and he’s ready and willing to help the FAW in their search for a new man once again.

“I recommended Mark and Neville Southall when I resigned and I’d be glad to offer any advice needed this time round,” he said.

“It should be a Welshman and I think in the short term you couldn’t do better than Brian Flynn.

“Longer term you’d have to look at the likes of Chris Coleman, Ian Rush and Dean Saunders.

“I think you have to have played at international level to understand the players and those are the people I’d look at.

“To manage Wales is a great honour and John will have great memories just like I do. I just hope they make the right appointment and I wish them every success.”

Toshack attended a meeting with FAW chiefs at their Cardiff headquarters yesterday before flying out to watch tonight's Bulgaria v Montenegro match.

A statement is expected today with a press conference provisionally planned for Thursday.