I WANT THE BIG GIGGS FOR WALES
Ryan is aiming for World Cup and Euros after frustration as a Dragons player
RYAN GIGGS is desperate to lead Wales to a major finals to fill the gap on his playing CV.
The Old Trafford legend has penned a £500,000-a-year deal to manage Wales for the next four years.
And he is determined to bury the painful memories of his days as a Welsh player when his country failed time after time to make the finals of the World Cup and Euros.
Predecessor Chris Coleman took Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and now Giggs wants to make them a regular fixture in the big summer jamborees.
“It wasn’t enjoyable going on holiday and watching the World Cup or your clubmates playing in the European Championship,” said Giggs, formerly Louis van Gaal’s assistant at Manchester United.
“My first memory of football is the 1982 World Cup in Spain watching Zico and that great Brazilian team but Wales could never get that far.
“My first attempt at the 1994 World Cup in America, we got really close. Then with Mark Hughes as manager I always believed we could do it. But there were also campaigns where we were out of the reckoning very quickly. It is something that still burns inside me, that desire to get to a major championship.
“I didn’t get there as a player and I want to get there as a manager.
“With the group of players we have we should be there and it is my job to get us there.
“I can’t wait to work with them because it is a group of players who should be reaching major championships.”
Wales, who lost to Portugal in the semi-finals of Euro 2016, could finish only third in their 2018 World Cup qualifying group behind Serbia and Republic Of Ireland so Giggs’s first taste of competitive action as Wales boss will come in the inaugural Nations Naague League later this year.
His appointment has sparked a backlash from some fans who o have questioned - his s commitment ent given his sketchy appearance record as a player. Giggs played ed just 64 out of a possible 117 matches for or Wales debut between his debut in 1991 and retirement ment in 2007.. That total included only 101 10 friendlies. Indeed he didn’t play in any of 18 friendlies between 1991 and 2000.
But Giggs responded: “I played over 1,000 games and I didn’t get there without taking care of myself.
“Early on in my career I had problems with my hamstrings and missed loads of United games but the criticism I’m getting is something I just have to deal with by winning games.
“I think it is a bit unfair. Once I got injured just before we were going to play Brazil in a friendly but these things happen pp in football. I can promise you I gave my all when I played for Wales and I will continue to do so as manager.”