Giggs is far more nervous on sidelines

RYAN Giggs admits he’s more nervous about sitting in the dugout as Wales boss against China than he ever was during his days as a player.

The Manchester United legend took charge of four matches with the Red Devils following the sacking of David Moyes in the latter stages of the 2013-14 campaign.

But he will take charge of the national side for the first time when Wales face hosts China in Nanning today, and Giggs admits life on the sidelines will be a world away from his days on the pitch.

“I will be much more nervous (as a manager), I never really got nervous when I was a player,” admitted Giggs.

“As a player you want a little bit of nerves but generally speaking I never really got nervous.

“Coaching and management is completely different.

“As a player you are quite selfish and you are just making sure you are doing your job in the team.

“As a manager and a coach there are so many things to think about, you are constantly going through your mind.

“Have you forgotten anything? What could be improved and just preparing the team as best you can together with your staff also.

“Afterwards then it is just evaluating, seeing what you could have done better and seeing what we did well.

“There are lots of things going around in my head, it is completely different from being a player.”

Giggs is expected to name a strong line-up for his side’s first game of their China Cup campaign, with Real Madrid star Gareth Bale expected to feature despite starring for Zinedine Zidane’s side in their 6-3 win over Girona on Sunday night.

But given the number of youngsters - including Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson - he has at his disposal, Giggs admits he has no qualms with making several changes to his team during the course of the tournament in Nanning.

“I’m not going to give you my team but it’s something we need to evaluate with the players travelling and playing at the weekend,” he added.

“There are a couple of players with slight knocks so it’s about getting players there that are 100% fit. It’ll be my strongest team available in that respect.”