Ryan Giggs promises 'a little bit of fun' after being unveiled as Wales manager

Ryan Giggs has described becoming the manager of Wales as probably the “proudest moment of my life” and promised to win over sceptical fans with the on-field performances he now expects to inspire.

The Football Association of Wales has agreed a four-year deal with Giggs that will take them to the 2022 World Cup when the Manchester United legend hopes to become the first Welshman since 1958 to lead his country into football’s biggest tournament.

Giggs won 64 caps as a player – only 16 people have played more for Wales – but the decision to miss friendly matches for a nine-year period has always left a lingering question from some Welsh fans over his commitment. Sir Alex Ferguson was his club manager at Manchester United and clearly determined to maximise his physical longevity, with Terry Yorath, Mike Smith and Bobby Gould all then going along with the 'no friendlies' approach.

Giggs also retired from international football in 2007 at the age of 34 – seven years before he stopped playing for Manchester United – but never missed a competitive match of importance when he was fit between 1991 and 2007.

Asked how he would convince fans, Giggs said: “I’ll do it by winning games, giving it my all and making the country proud like two years ago. I’m a proud Welshman. I know criticism is to come. The way to combat that is to give my all. I loved playing for my country and it is probably the proudest moment of my life to lead the Welsh nation.

"I'm tremendously proud and excited to be the next Wales manager and I can't wait to get going. It's a great opportunity and I'm excited.

"I played 64 times for my country. I'd like to think I'll be the same kind of manager as I was a player, with professionalism but also a little bit of fun along the way."

“We haven’t been in a World Cup since 1958 and I want to get them there and be part of that. It is a group of players who should be making major championships. I can’t wait to get going. I was itching to get back into football – that’s where I feel comfortable and where I belong. I couldn’t turn this opportunity down.”

After almost 1,000 games, 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups as a player, this will be Giggs’ first permanent job in management following spells at Manchester United both as interim manager and assistant to Louis van Gaal.

He sought the advice of Ferguson after accepting the job. “It would be stupid not to speak with him – he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, manager who has ever lived,” said Giggs. “I spoke to him in the last 24 hours and will do more but I want to be my own manager. I’m my own person.”

Asked what style of football he wanted to implement, Giggs said: “Exciting - I want to get fans off their seats. Hard working, in and out of possession. Never giving up and a winning team. So many times, people have said that if you’ve had a good career as a player you won’t necessary be a good manger but it’s down to the individual. I will do what I did as a player - be professional, give it my all and enjoy it.”