CARDIFF: Ryan Giggs has been appointed Wales manager on a four-year contract. The 44-year-old former Manchester United winger succeeds Chris Coleman, who left for Sunderland in November.

Coleman’s assistant Osian Roberts, former Wales striker Craig Bellamy and Mark Bowen were also interviewed.

Giggs had long been a target for the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and was the favourite for the role once Coleman departed after Wales failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The FAW confirmed the appointment on social media and in a statement Giggs said: “I am so proud to have been given the honour of managing the national team. “The challenges that we have ahead of us with the Nations League and qualification for 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.”

** Stoke City have appointed Paul Lambert as new manager **

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “With his vast amount of experience having played, coached and managed the biggest club in the world, we are confident of a successful future for our national team.”

Giggs won 64 caps between 1991 and 2007 and captained his country – but he was criticised for regularly pulling out of squads and especially for missing friendly matches.

The Manchester United great was in caretaker charge of the Red Devils for four games at the end of the 2013-14 season following the sacking of David Moyes.

He spent the next two seasons as Louis van Gaal’s assistant but left after Jose Mourinho was appointed manager at Old Trafford. Giggs lost out on the Swansea job to Bob Bradley after being interviewed for the manager’s role at the Liberty Stadium in October 2016.

FAW statement:

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) are delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Giggs
as the Wales National Team Manager on a 4-year contract.

Giggs played 64 times for Wales between 1991–2007 and was part of the squad who narrowly
missed out on qualifying for UEFA EURO 2004 after losing a play-off match to Russia at the
Millennium Stadium.

Following an illustrious playing career spanning over 23 years at Manchester United, Giggs’ coaching
career also began at Old Trafford in 2014, where he was made interim manager towards the end of
the 2013/2014 season. 

Giggs was subsequently named assistant manager at Manchester United
under Louis Van Gaal and served with him at the club until July 2016.
Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW, said: “We are extremely delighted to see Ryan appointed
as the National Team Manager. With his vast amount of experience having played, coached and
managed the biggest club in the world, we are confident of a successful future for our national
team.”

Following his appointment, Ryan Giggs said: “I am so proud to have been given the honour of
managing the National Team. 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.”

Giggs’ first game in charge will be in the 2018 China Cup against the hosts on 22 March in Nanning.

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