Wales

Ryan Giggs 'proud, honoured' to land permanent Wales job

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 15 January 2018

New Wales boss Ryan Giggs says that he is 'proud and honoured' to be given the chance to manage his national side, having been handed a four-year deal by the FAW.

Ryan Giggs has admitted that he is 'excited' by the prospect of guiding Wales to Euro 2020 after landing his first permanent managerial position.

The 64-cap international, who brought his Dragons playing career to an end a little over a decade ago, is tasked with picking up a depleted squad that narrowly missed out on World Cup 2018 qualification.

Manchester United legend Giggs is said to have won over Football Association of Wales chiefs with his desire to make a name for himself on the managerial stage, with his only previous experience coming in a four-game spell with the Red Devils in 2014.

Despite his lack of pedigree, though, the 44-year-old - chosen ahead of Craig Bellamy, Osian Roberts and Mark Bowen - is ready to get going.

"I am so proud to have been given the honour of managing the national team," he told the FAW's official website. "The challenges that we have ahead of us with the Nations League and qualification for UEFA EURO 2020 excite me a great deal.

"I can't wait to start working with the players as we prepare for those crucial games later in the year."

First up for Wales is a 2018 China Cup clash against the tournament hosts in Nanning on March 22.