Ryan Giggs news: Manchester United legend admits he needs an impressive start to win over Welsh critics
The 44-year-old has been criticised for his poor attendance record as a player in friendly matches
RYAN GIGGS admits he must hit the ground running with success on the pitch to win over his Wales doubters.
The former Manchester United ace, 44, was unveiled as the new Dragons boss to succeed Chris Coleman in Cardiff on Monday lunchtime.
Giggs' appointment has divided Welsh fans with his criticising his poor attendance record as a player in friendly matches.
But Giggs, whose first game will be against China on March 22, said: "I played 64 times for my country, 65 if you include the game against the Basque - where I scored the winner! But I’ll be the same, organised, professional and I’ll have fun. I’ll only do that by winning games.
“I recognise the question but it’s up to me to give it all and make the country proud, just like they were two years ago at the Euros - they showed what great players we had and the team spirit.
“I’m not on social media - for that very reason! But I know the criticism will come and I’ll give my all to the job.
“The beauty of football is that everyone has an opinion and you have to take that. I did that as a player and I’ll work hard to produce a winning team.”
Giggs, who beat off competition for the job from fellow Welshman Craig Bellamy, Osian Roberts and Mark Bowen for the national role, also revealed he has spoken to legendary ex-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he starts his first full-time job as a manager.
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The ex-United assistant job to Louis van Gaal, who will now be in charge of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams, added: "It would be stupid not to. He’s one of the greatest managers of all time.
“I spoke to him but I want to be my own manager. I’m my own person. I enjoyed my assistant role at Man United but I was itching to get back into football.
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“I’m tremendously proud to manage my country. I had an interview on Thursday and for me it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“I’ll do exactly what I did as a player. I want to enjoy it, I’ve got a great group pf players to work with.
“Who can forget the Euros? As a proud Welshman watching them in France, I want to get us back there.
“We should be there. They are a group of players who should be making major tournaments."
So what will a Giggs team look like?
Giggs replied: “Exciting, hard-working and aggressive in and out of possession. A winning team.
“I’ll give it my all, I loved playing for my country and it’s probably the proudest moment of my life to lead the nation.
“We haven’t been in a World Cup since 1958 and I want to do it.”
Giggs said he has not made any decision on his backroom staff but he will hold talks with Osian Roberts, the FAW's technical director, who was also an assistant to Coleman.
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