Ryan Giggs wants Wales at World Cup 2022 but admits he’s still playing catch-up as a boss
Former Manchester United star led team to a resounding 6-0 win over China this week as he starts setting targets for squad
RYAN GIGGS relaxed on the eighth floor of the Wanda Realm Resort hotel less than 24 hours after Wales’ thumping 6-0 win over China.
He could not have dreamt of such a barnstorming debut as an international boss, one in which star man Gareth Bale bagged a hat-trick and broke Ian Rush’s goalscoring record.
But Giggs recognised this was just the start, that there was still a long way to go and how, because he did not hang up his boots until he was 40, he is picking up the art of management later in life than is perhaps ideal. The learning curve is steep and it can be a solitary existence.
Manchester United legend Giggs, whose side will now face Uruguay in the China Cup final on Monday, said: “I learnt a lot when I was caretaker United manager for four games and about how lonely it was.
“When you shut the door of your office and everyone else has gone home, you’re on your own. Of course, it’s good to have good people around you who you know and you want them to be the ones you trust. But it can be a lonely place.
“Under Louis van Gaal I learnt a lot of things but I was always playing catch-up as a coach because I played until I was 40, which was great but that’s a fact.
“I did my licences while I was playing but, until you get on the pitch, coaching and training every day, it’s like anything, the more you do something, the more experience you get.”
ON LEAVING OLD TRAFFORD WHEN JOSE MOURINHO ARRIVED
“I was assistant manager and Jose brought his own team in.
“Perhaps I could have gone down to the youth team but there are not many examples of an assistant going down and training with the youth team. I felt it was the right time to go on my own.”
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ON WHY KEANE, STAM AND GARY NEVILLE HAVE STRUGGLED MORE IN MANAGEMENT THAN BRUCE, HUGHES AND ROBSON
“The atmosphere has changed so much in football. It’s nine months and five defeats and you’re out.
“There’s a trend at the moment, it probably will change, that when a manager goes, the club go to an experienced manager.
“You can understand why with managers who’ve been there and done it.
“There’s so much money in the game, pressure, opinion from media and the fans that it’s a job where you don’t last very long.
“That’s another plus with international jobs, you do get time.”
ON GETTING A TEXT FROM SIR ALEX FERGUSON AFTER CHINA WIN
“He just said congratulations. So did a lot of people. It was a great night for Wales, the staff, the players and me individually. I don’t want to get carried away but it was a brilliant start to score six goals — and six fantastic goals too.”
ON GETTING WALES TO WORLD CUP
“It would be an unbelievable achievement. We have not done it since 1958 — for 60 years.
“Euro 2016 was an unbelievable achievement but the World Cup is the pinnacle and to get there would be fantastic for a team like Wales.
“You want to see the best players so you want to see the Bales, Ramseys and Joe Allens.”
ON LAYING DOWN THE LAW TO HIS WALES SQUAD
“Coming down in the right attire and not being late for meetings and meal times.
“With time-keeping, there is no excuse for being late. For meetings, meals and team time, you have to get there early.
“And during those half-hour or hour-long meetings, you have to concentrate fully.
“The group already police themselves. Before coming into camp I thought I wouldn’t want dinner-time phones. But that was only because I want them to interact. But they are already interacting and speaking to each other, so why change it?
“There are lots of things you could change before you go into camp but, when you get there, you realise it’s not actually a problem. It’s always a balancing act.
“If at the next camp everyone is on their phone and no one is speaking, then you have to have a different mindset.”
ON HIS OWN WEAKNESSES
“Just like a player, you always want to improve and you look at the best.
“Pep Guardiola and Jose are always looking to improve.
“I am not a naturally outgoing person so that’s where the Pro Licence and opposition analysis with the United players helps.
“Everything just comes with that little bit of experience.”
ON GOING TO RUSSIA AS A PUNDIT DESPITE POLITICAL TENSIONS
“I’m just like everyone else, just monitoring the situation. But at the moment I am going and looking forward to watching the games.”