Ryan Giggs has labelled Wales’ 3-1 win over Belgium in the European Championships as the best result in the country’s footballing history.
Wales beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 on Friday in Lille to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Portugal.
According to the Telegraph, the 42-year old Manchester United legend is set to leave the Old Trafford outfit after serving them for 26 successive years. The Welsh winger, who was formerly assistant to the sacked Louis Van Gaal has reportedly rejected a significantly reduced coaching role offered by the United hierarchy under newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho.
Appearing as a pundit on ITV‘s Euro highlights show, Giggs went on to say that the feat achieved by Chris Coleman’s side will go down in history. He was asked how he felt watching the Welsh players celebrate in Stade Pierre Mauroy to which he replied, “I’m so proud.” He also revealed that the nation needed hope and something to believe in after the demise of the former Wales manager Gary Speed in 2011.
“It was a difficult time (when Coleman took over in 2012),” he said. “Him and Gary Speed were really close. He felt the pressure early on. The bad times can help you going forward. He’s stuck to a system and everyone knows their jobs. The effect this performance will have on Welsh football, you can’t comprehend. There might be kids thinking rugby or football and they’ll be watching this, thinking football.”
Ryan Giggs also spoke on Manchester United’s recent signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on a free transfer from PSG. The former assistant manager believes the Swedish legend, who has signed a one-year deal with the Red Devils, will be a success at United and would help in further development of the club’s young star Marcus Rashford.
He said, “I think it’s a terrific signing. At United, we were short of goals last season and he’s a proven goalscorer. As a player, you see a winner. You see character and a bit of class. You want to learn first hand from more experienced players, and Marcus can only learn from someone like that.”
