Ryan Giggs revealed he spoke to his former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson before taking over as the new head coach of the Wales national team.
The ex-United winger, who spent 23 years under Ferguson s tutelage at Old Trafford, was confirmed as the new Wales boss on Monday.
Giggs appointment comes following Chris Coleman s resignation in November, while the 44-year-old was previously linked with managerial vacancies at the likes of Swansea City.
After Ferguson s United successor David Moyes failed to see out his first season, Giggs took interim charge of United for the final four games of 2013-14 and then worked as assistant to Louis van Gaal.
He departed upon Jose Mourinho s arrival and in a media conference on Monday, Giggs confirmed he had sought the advice of his former mentor Ferguson, under whom he won 25 major honours.
Ryan Giggs “I’m tremendously proud and excited, I can’t wait to get going.”
— Wales (@Cymru)
It would be stupid not to, Giggs said. 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.
Giggs appointment was met with a mixed reaction among some supporters, but a player who won 64 caps for his country remains unfazed by any criticism.
55% Ryan Giggs played 64 of a possible 117 international matches for Wales between his debut in 1991 and retirement in 2007, not playing any of 18 friendlies between 1991 and 2000. Call-up.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
I m not on social media for that very reason! he said. 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.
So many times it s been said a good career as a player doesn t mean you’ll be a good manager. But I ll do exactly what I did as a player.
I want to enjoy it, I ve got a great group of players to work with.
Who can forget the Euros? As a proud Welshman watching them in France [when Wales reached the semis], I want to get us back there. We should be there.
