Giggs defends decision to put Wales in his own hotel – just yards from Old Trafford
Man Utd legend expects criticism from Dragons fans for preparing for next Wednesday's friendly with Trinidad and Tobago outside Wales - but will do what he thinks is right
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WALES will prepare for their home international double-header next week by staying at manager Ryan Giggs’ own hotel!
They face a friendly with Trinidad and Tobago at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground next Wednesday before starting their Euro 2020 campaign against Slovakia in Cardiff four days later.
As revealed last week, Giggs sought permission from Manchester United to use his old club’s training ground at Carrington because the redeveloped Colliers Park facility in North Wales will not not ready.
And Dragons stars including Gareth Bale will stay at Hotel Football, just yards away from Old Trafford.
Giggs knows snubbing Wales for England for their preparations could draw some flak from fans.
But Giggs — who co-owns the hotel with former United team-mate Gary Neville — said: “I’m not going to please everyone and I can understand the criticisms, but my job is to prepare the squad as best I can — and this is the best way.
“Before we went to the USA last year we stayed at the Doubletree in Chester but that was booked up this time. We looked at other options in Chester, but then that’s travelling there and back to Manchester.
“We’re staying at Hotel Football Sunday to Wednesday [for the Trinidad and Tobago match] and after the game we fly down to Cardiff.”
Giggs wants his players to benefit from top-class training facilities.
He added: “We didn’t want to damage the Racecourse pitch. Colliers Park is a great facility but the pitches are not quite ready.
“I chatted to the players and it was unanimous — they all wanted to train at Carrington. It was a no-brainer.
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“When I played for Wales, we trained on a school pitch and the whole school was watching. I also played on a prison pitch under Bobby Gould. That just can’t happen at international level now.”
Giggs rejected claims he is not 100 per cent committed to Wales because of his commercial activities.
He said: “Yes, I have other commitments that the FAW knew before I took over. I’m an ambassador for the Champions League and was in South Africa for three days last week.
“I’m introduced as the Wales manager and that can only be good.
“But my primary job is to manage Wales. I take that very seriously.”