New Wales manager Giggs promises to convince doubters by ‘winning matches’
New Wales manager Ryan Giggs has vowed to silence his doubters “by winning games”.
Giggs was unveiled as Chris Coleman’s successor at a yesterday after agreeing a fouryear deal to take in the 2020 European Championship and 2022 World Cup tournaments.
But despite being the most decorated player in English football during an illustrious career at Manchester United, Giggs’ appointment has not been universally welcomed by Wales fans.
Giggs captained Wales and won 64 caps in a career which stretched from 1991 to 2007, but his commitment to his country was regularly questioned as he did not play an international friendly until 2000.
Asked how he would win the sceptics over, Giggs said: “I’ll do that by winning games. As long as we’re winning games those questions won’t come up. But I recognise the question. It’s up to me to give it my all and I will.
“I played 64 times for my country – 65 if you count the game against the Basques, when I scored the winner – and I will be same manager as I was a player. I will bring professionalism and organisation and have a bit of fun along the way.
“When I played for my country I gave it my all. I loved playing for my country and now it’s probably the proudest moment of my life to lead the Welsh nation into the Euros and the World Cup.
“We’ve not qualified for a World Cup since 1958. I want to get this group of players there and to be part of it.”
Giggs spent four games in interim charge of United at the end of the 2013-14 season following the sacking of David Moyes, but Wales represents his first permanent job in management after he missed out on the Swansea City post in October 2016.
He succeeds Coleman, who guided Wales to the semifinals of Euro 2016 – the country’s first major tournament for 58 years – but has yet to decide on the make-up of his backroom staff.
Giggs’ first game in charge of Wales will be against China in Nanning on 22 March – the first of two matches Wales will play at the China Cup – while the new Uefa Nations League competition in the autumn will mark his first competitive games and, although he has spoken to his former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson about his new role, he has promised to be his own man.
“I’d be stupid not to speak to Sir Alex,” Giggs said. “He’s one of the greatest managers, if not the greatest manager, that’s ever lived. So I’ve spoken to him and I’ll speak to him in more depth.
“I’ll take a bit from managers that I’ve worked with at club level and international level, but I’m my own person.
“I want exciting football, to get the fans off their seats, hard-working, aggressive – both in and out of possession – never giving up. A winning team.”