Ryan Giggs reckons being named the Wales manager for the next four years was “the proudest moment of my life”.

And the man who made the first of his 64 Welsh appearances as a 17-year-old back in 1991 vowed to win over the fans who have criticised him for missing so many friendlies during his playing career “by winning matches”.

Giggs pipped Craig Bellamy, Mark Bowen and Osian Roberts to the job in succession to Chris Coleman and now wants to do as a manger what he wasn’t able to do as an international player, get through to the finals of a major championship.

“We haven’t been in a World Cup since 1958 and I want to get this group of players there and be a part of it,” said Giggs.

“I’m going to give it my all, as I always have done, and enjoy it as much as I can. I am tremendously honoured and proud to be the next Welsh manager – this is the proudest moment of my life.

“I played 64 times for my country and I will be the same type of manager as I was as a player – professional and looking for a bit of fun along the way. I recognise the question about my playing record in friendlies and it is up to me to convince the fans by winning games.

“I want to get the fans off their seats by playing exciting football. I want my Welsh team to be hard working, aggressive in and out of possession and to be a winning team.

“I want to get the team back to where they were in the Euros a few years ago and, with the group of players I’ve got to work with, we should be there. It’s my job to get them there.

“There is a good balance of experience players and some youngsters coming through. It is a group of players that has been so successful in the last four or five years and should be making major championships.”

Giggs revealed he has had talks with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson about his new role and he intends to consult with him further. His next step, before taking the team to China in March, is to name his back room team.

“I had the assistant manager role at Manchester United after I finished playing, which I loved, and I’ve been out of football for 18 months now. I’m just itching to get back into football because that’s where I feel comfortable and where I belong, he added.

“So many times it has been said that if you’ve had a good career as a player it doesn’t necessarily mean you will become a good manager, but I think that’s down to the individual. I will do exactly what I did as a player – be professional, give it my all and enjoy it as much as I can.

“I’ve spoken to Sir Alex him over the last 24 hours and I’ll speak to him again – I’d be stupid not to. He’s one of the greatest managers, if not the greatest who’s ever lived, but I also want to be my own manager.

“I’ll speak to managers I’ve worked with at club level, but I’m my own person. It has been a whirlwind 24 hours, so there is nothing at the moment on my coaching team.

“It’s something I need to think about sooner rather than later. I’ve got a few ideas and whoever it will be will give their all.

“I know Osian Roberts and I know how he feels about Welsh football and his passion. There’s a conversation to be had and I’ll speak to him in the near future.”