Man United legend Ryan Giggs lands first coaching job with Wales national team; targets major tournaments

Giggs’ only previous experience as a manager was in 2014, when he took temporary charge of United for the final four games of the Premier League season following the firing of David Moyes

1-MIN READ1-MIN

Newly appointed football manager of Wales Ryan Giggs is targeting success with the national team. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:35am, 16 Jan 2018Updated: 10:35am, 16 Jan 2018

Ryan Giggs was hired as coach of Wales’ national soccer team on Monday, his first full-time coaching job since ending an illustrious playing career with Manchester United.

Giggs’ only previous experience as a manager was in 2014, when he took temporary charge of United for the final four games of the Premier League season following the firing of David Moyes.

He was assistant to Louis van Gaal at United for the following two seasons but left Old Trafford when Jose Mourinho took charge ahead of the 2016-17 season. Giggs has since worked as a TV analyst.

Giggs takes over from Chris Coleman who led the Welsh side to success during is spell in charge. Photo: AFP

The 44-year-old Giggs played 64 times for Wales, but never made it to a major tournament.

“I’d like to think I’ll be the same kind of manager as I was a player,” Giggs said, “with professionalism but also a little bit of fun along the way.”

Giggs replaced Chris Coleman, who left last year to manage Sunderland after Wales failed to qualify for the World Cup. Coleman led Wales to the semi-finals at the 2016 European Championship.