FERGIE’S HELPING HAND

Giggs to grill Sir Alex

RYAN GIGGS will quiz his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson for tips on how to guide Wales to their first World Cup finals since 1958.

The Manchester United legend was unveiled as Wales boss yesterday and has been handed a four-year contract to take him through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He never made it to a major tournament as a player but Giggs, 44, claims that spurs him on as a boss.

Burns

“It wasn’t enjoyable going on holiday and watching your mates play in World Cups and European Championships,” said Giggs, who replaces Chris Coleman.

“It was frustrating, but it’s something which burns inside me.

“We haven’t been in a World Cup since 1958 and I want to get this group of players there.

“I want to get the team back to where they were in the Euros a few years ago and, with the group of players I’ve got to work with, we should be there. It’s ® my job to get them there.” He will have to wait until March 22 before cutting his teeth as an international manager when Wales meet China in Nanning.

Before then he will have to pick his backroom team and plan a course that leads his side into the new UEFA Nations League later in the year.

That’s when any tips that his old United boss can give him could come in handy.

“I’ve spoken to Sir Alex over the last 24 hours and I’ll speak to him again – I’d be stupid not to,” said Giggs, who will earn £300,000 a year.

“He’s one of the greatest managers, if not the greatest, who’s ever lived but I also want to be my own manager.”

And Giggs hammered out a message to those fans who feel he somehow let down his country by missing so many friendlies – 18 in a row between 1991 and 2000 – while winning 64 caps.

He said: “I recognise the question about my playing record. It is a bit unfair, but football is about opinions and it is up to me to convince the fans by winning games.”