“I know he was very disappointed to leave the Wales job,” Dave Adams, the FAW’s chief football officer who worked alongside Giggs for a year, told Sport.
“We’d qualified for the Euros, which is a big achievement, but he never got the chance to go there with the team.
“I’m sure that was really difficult for him and I would guess he still has that drive to feel the success as a head coach that he did as a player.
“When managers have been out of the game, you can look at going back as an assistant, but it has to be at a level of work that is respectful to you and your experience.
“If there was a former team-mate managing somewhere it could be an easy fit, but of that generation there are not many at a level that would benefit him.
“It is such a competitive market and young coaches are very prominent now, so there won’t be as many opportunities that would work for him.
“If you were an owner of a club, you still have that track record as a player of being part of a winning culture, a serial winner, someone who would demand high standards.
“His track record with Wales shows how he managed a successful transition period, which owners are looking for in managers now. The game does move on very quickly, but when I last spoke to Ryan he was spending a lot of his time watching games, so he is keeping on top of things and I’m sure he would be able to adapt.”
Others, however, have concerns. In 2023, domestic abuse campaigners expressed their disappointment, external after the CPS decided not to pursue a retrial.
Sport asked the charity Women’s Aid about Giggs’ more visible role at Salford City, and the prospect of him returning to coaching.
In a statement it said it is “disheartening to see alleged perpetrators of abuse being considered to return to elevated positions of influence and power”.
“Football is a global sport followed passionately by millions of young boys and men, many of whom look up to players, managers and directors as role models,” it continued.
“Football clubs, and the sports industry, have a responsibility to uphold respect, equality, and safety for women and children.
“Women’s Aid has shown through collaboration with football clubs how impactful these partnerships can be – we hope more clubs will follow these examples and take the opportunity to create real change.”
Giggs is yet to address the legal case in an interview, and Sport was told he would not comment about it at this stage.
Speaking to Radio Manchester before the FA Cup match, he confirmed he wanted to return to management “one day”.
“I had the stint as Wales manager and loved it,” said Giggs. “At the moment I’m enjoying being at Salford as director of football and enjoy watching the team, happy where I am, but eventually I would like to get back into management. On matchday I still get as excited as ever, probably more so than ever.”
