Giggs: Tough to replace Fergie

Giggs: Tough to replace Fergie

Published Mar. 1, 2011 7:15 a.m. ET

Wednesday, 24 hours after United have tackled Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League, is the 20th anniversary of Giggs' debut, as a raw 17-year-old against Everton. During the intervening two decades, the Welshman has served just one master. And although Giggs is convinced Ferguson could remain in his job for a further "four or five" years, when the Old Trafford hierarchy eventually meet to appoint a successor, the test will be stiff indeed. "It is a massive challenge," said Giggs. "We are talking about the most successful manager ever. "He is constantly evolving, trying to get the age of the team right, so that will help the next manager. "Also, you normally take over when a team is struggling but hopefully this team will be in good shape. "It's not impossible but it is going to be tough." Not that Giggs will be thinking too much about Ferguson's future, or his own for that matter, when he stands by to make his 863rd appearance, and a record-equalling 606th in the league, against Chelsea on Tuesday night. As is always the case, Giggs accepts the accolades with good grace, then quickly dismisses them as something to look back on when his playing days are over. For now it is the small matter of Chelsea and another step towards a 19th title, of which he will have played a part in 12. "There is never a time when you can rest on your laurels," he said. "When you've beaten a record there's always some game you've got to concentrate on. You don't really have time to think too much about what you've done and they don't come any bigger than Chelsea away."

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