GARETH’S £1M PASS TO CHINA
GARETH BALE has saved Wales a £1million pay day by declaring himself fit for the China Cup this week.
The bonanza bonus was dependent on the Real Madrid star being part of the Welsh side for the four-team tournament in Nanning.
The Welsh FA have been sweating on Bale’s availability, but after talks with new boss Ryan Giggs, Bale has declared his intention to be part of the squad for the 11,000-mile round trip. And Giggs admits he is braced for criticism after swapping punditry for the Wales hot-seat – and he insists managers are entitled to hit back.
Jose Mourinho recently slammed ex-Crystal Palace boss Frank de Boer after he said on TV that it is a “pity” Marcus Rashford plays under him.
Manchester United boss Mourinho has previously clashed with various pundits, including Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.
Giggs understands both perspectives, having been both a TV pundit and a member of Louis van Gaal’s coaching staff at United.
And he expects his performance in his first full-time managerial role to be pored over in his first games in charge at the China Cup in Nanning this week.
Giggs, 44, said: “When I was assistant at United, I knew how coaches feel because you come in, you have had a difficult result, you switch the TV on and your team gets criticised.
“But I have been a pundit too and it is their job to give their views.
“Pundits and ex-players, ex-managers will have views, but then coaches are sometimes within their rights to have a little pop back.”