Ryan Giggs explains the transition from player to coach

Ryan Giggs says he has had to become less selfish after making the transition from player to coach.

The Reds’ assistant manager called time on a glorious Manchester United playing career to become David Moyes’ right-hand man in 2013.

And Giggs - the club’s most decorated player - continued in the position when the Scot was sacked and replaced at the Old Trafford helm by Louis van Gaal less than a year later.

Van Gaal’s troubled tenure has led to Giggs being touted as United’s next manager should the Dutchman follow Moyes out of the club this summer.

For many it is a straight choice between him and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho - who is the clear favourite.

Apart from holding the position on a temporary basis for four games following Moyes’ dismissal, Giggs has no managerial experience.

But the 42-year-old has been immersing himself in his new trade as assistant manager with relish and said: “The biggest thing you learn going from player to coach is not to think like a player anymore, but to think like a coach.

“As a player you’re pretty selfish – you want to do well and you know what you’re capable of doing and how to achieve it.

“Now, you need to get the best out of 25, maybe 30, different individuals. So you need to find what makes them tick and how you’re going to get the best out of them.”

He has approached the role with the same kind of focus that saw him become a Premier League playing legend.

“I wanted to be the best as a player and I want to be the best as a coach,” he said in an interview with Inside United.

“That means working hard and doing everything you can to achieve that, but also enjoying it and enjoying the challenge.”

Giggs has been backed to become United manager by a whole queue of former team-mates, including Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bryan Robson, Dwight Yorke and Nemanja Vidic.

He is as low as 6/1 be the next Reds boss and Cole said: “If Giggsy gets the opportunity it would be brilliant.

“I know everyone has said it’s going to be hard for him. Of course it’s going to be hard, it’s Manchester United.

“They are so used to winning things. They have been at the top of the league, progressing in Europe, winning the Premier League and constantly winning.

“But I do believe - given the chance - he would do well.

“It’s going to take time, it would take time for any manager at that football club but given the job, I think he would do a great job.”