Indian football needs vision: Ryan Giggs

There is something about Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs. He doesn't appear to be 42, his real age. The tinge of grey hair and slight baldness suggests that he is ageing, but the perfect footballer physique makes it difficult to guess the number of years passed. The aura around him gives a sense of the big stature of the small man.

Curtains may have drawn on Giggs's much-decorated footballing career in the competitive arena in 2014, but he is back showing his football skills that he is known for in a different stage – Premier Futsal – the fast-paced indoor football.

Giggs has been instrumental in taking his team Mumbai into the semifinal of the tournament and they would be meeting Kolkata at Peddem Sports Complex here on Saturday.

At an interaction with a select media gathering, the diminutive Giggs said he was keen on taking part in a different kind of concept.

"There are a number of reasons really. I had never been to India before, so I was quite keen to come to India. Also, I like the concept. There are the legends, then the futsal players and there is also local talent. Also, the concept of educating not only football but futsal within the country is nice," he said.

Giggs compared the futsal format to T20 cricket and said he enjoyed playing it from the regular football. "We have seen how Twenty 20 in cricket has brought younger people, a newer audience to cricket and hopefully this will (also do the same). It is quick, obviously it is similar to Twenty 20. It is instant and different from 90 minutes football. I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has been more than my expectations and I have loved that," he said.

India haven't made it to the top in football and is way below in rankings too. The Welshman said India will need to have a vision to grow.

"First of all, India needs a vision, a short-term vision and a long-term vision, and you stick to that vision. You need the interest and so this is what we are trying to do with futsal, get more interest within the game, within football, within the younger generation. In Wales, it's quite similar, we have rugby and football. In India, it is cricket, and cricket is the main sport. Also, there are a lot of people who enjoy watching and playing football as well," he said.

He also gave examples of Wales and Iceland, both underdogs that did well in the Euro Cup recently.

"Coaching needs to be right, so the young players need the right education and coaching and facilities, but you need a vision and someone to have that vision and implement it. You have seen with Iceland, you have seen with Wales, you don't have these country with millions and millions of people. Okay, India have, but as long as you have vision and you stick to it, you can be successful," he added.

Giggs was not amazed at Wales' good show in Euro 2016, their maiden appearance. "I wasn't surprised with the performances because they showed it in the group. It was a tough group, obviously surprised to get to the semifinal as no one expected that, but not surprised as they did well, in the end they could have quite easily won, a couple of suspensions hurt them, but it was a fantastic competition for Wales and it just captured the imagination of the nation."

The retired Manchester United midfielder, who quit as the assistant manager of his club, revealed his ambitions to be a manager.

"Yeah, I am looking to be a manager. That's what I want to do first and foremost. If the right offer comes, I will jump it and I am not in rush."