Ryan Giggs to offer Gareth Bale advice on avoiding recurring injuries... with the Welshman suffering 19 muscular issues since leaving Tottenham in 2013

  • Ryan Giggs to offer Gareth Bale advice on avoiding reoccurring muscle injuries
  • The new Wales manager overcame troubling muscle problems during his career 
  • The Real Madrid man has suffered 19 muscular injuries since leaving Tottenham
  • The winger has only completed 90 minutes twice this season due to calf issue

Ryan Giggs plans to offer Gareth Bale advice on avoiding injury in an attempt to help the Real Madrid forward maintain his influence for Wales.

The new Wales manager overcame troubling muscle problems during his Manchester United career to play until 40 and will impart his knowledge if asked.


Bale has experienced a difficult 18 months, only completing 90 minutes twice for Real this season due to a calf issue. The 28-year-old has suffered 19 mainly muscular injuries since leaving Tottenham for Spain in 2013.

Gareth Bale has suffered 19 muscular injuries since leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid in 2013

Gareth Bale has suffered 19 muscular injuries since leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid in 2013

Ryan Giggs will offer Wales' talismanic forward advice on avoiding recurring muscle injuries

Ryan Giggs will offer Wales' talismanic forward advice on avoiding recurring muscle injuries

Bale has returned to fitness and form recently, scoring three goals in his last three games, and Giggs understands the importance of having his country’s talisman at peak capacity.

‘It’s about passing on your knowledge that you experienced as a player, I've got plenty of that obviously,’ said Giggs. 

‘There are different things you will come up against so that might be a conversation because everyone wants a fit Gareth Bale and everyone wants a fit Welsh national team so you have your best players to pick from.

‘I played over 1,000 games and I didn’t get there without managing myself. Early on in my career I had problems with my hamstrings and missed loads of United games.’ 

The Welsh winger has only completed 90 minutes twice for Real this season due to calf issue

The Welsh winger has only completed 90 minutes twice for Real this season due to calf issue

Giggs added: ‘To be successful you want a competitive environment where players are pushing each other. I played at a club for a number of years where often training was harder than games so come Saturday it was easy.

‘That's the sort of environment I want to create where actually come the game you find it relatively easy because training is so difficult.’ Giggs has spoken to captain Ashley Williams already and will do likewise with all his senior squad members. 

‘Over the next coming days I will speak to all the experienced players, why wouldn’t you,’ he said. 

‘I want to tap into all the good experiences they’ve had, the things that maybe frustrate them, and sometimes you might take their advice. You want to get as much background of things that have worked over the last few years.’