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BBC cameras will no doubt pan to Ryan Giggs during Saturday’s FA Cup third round meeting between Manchester City and Salford City.
This Former Manchester United winger Will be in the away dugout for Saturday’s fixture, helping Salford manager Carl Robinson as he tries to pull off a miracle upset by the League Two outfit.
But why would Giggs be on the touchline and why is his presence so controversial?
Despite being part-owner of fourth-tier Salford, along with his former ‘Class of ’92’ colleagues, Giggs will act as assistant to first-team manager Robinson on Saturday – a position he has held since October 2024.
Giggs initially featured in a match against Crewe Alexandra in October following the departure of coach Simon Wiles. With another Salford assistant, Alex Bruce, unavailable due to the tragic death of his nephew, Giggs went to the touchline to help out.
However, although Bruce has since returned to his role, Giggs has remained on the sidelines. The 51-year-old has featured for 17 Salford matches, with just two defeats in that time, and will be on familiar ground when he travels with the squad. Man City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
“Carl was literally going to be left on his own (vs Crewe),” Giggs said The Athletic. “So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll get on the bench with you.’
“It was just me and Karl, the physio, the goalkeeping coach and the sports scientist. I enjoyed it. Karl enjoyed it. And we were saving some money, the other coach didn’t get in.
“It came by accident, coming into the dugout… In a League Two team, every little bit of salary saving helps: maybe we can get better gym kit, maybe we can get a player on loan. Am I going to stay. In the dugout , it’s up to Carl, but I’m enjoying it at the moment.”
Giggs’ presence in the Salford dugout at the Etihad Stadium is highly controversial. The former Wales manager was arrested in October 2020 on suspicion of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, with Giggs denying all the claims brought against him.
He was accused of hitting Greville in the head and being physically and mentally controlling during their relationship. Giggs was also accused of assaulting Greville’s sister Emma, which he denied.
A jury at Giggs’ first trial failed to reach an agreed verdict on the charges and he was formally acquitted in July 2023 after Greville decided to give evidence again during a retrial. She said she felt “exhausted” by the process and could not face the prospect of testifying in court again.
Charity Women’s Aid has voiced its dismay at gigs returning to Touchline. “(It is) disheartening to see the alleged perpetrators of the abuse deemed to be returning to high positions of influence and power,” a statement read.
“Football is a global sport passionately followed by millions of young boys and men, many of whom look up to players, managers and directors as role models. Football clubs and the sports industry have a responsibility to uphold respect, equality and safety. For women and children .”
