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Giggs relishing new coaching challenge

Ryan Giggs faces his first season as a professional where Sir Alex Ferguson is not his manager © Getty Images

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Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs is looking forward to embarking on a "new chapter" in his career once his playing days are over by becoming a coach.

The 39-year-old, who made his professional debut at Old Trafford in 1990, is currently at the under-20 World Cup in Turkey as part of his 18-month course to obtain a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification.

After a trophy-laden career which includes 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs, the Welshman is getting used to learning a new trade from scratch as he approaches the end of his playing career.

"It'll be like starting all over again, it will be like being an apprentice again, learning things and making mistakes as you go along and just trying to better yourself as much as you can," Giggs told the FA's official website.

"I am an intense person and when I'm playing I'm concentrating on that. Also, I've got to start thinking that it's near the end and what I'm going to do afterwards.

"It's exciting for me. I've been playing for 20-odd years and it's a new chapter in my life. I want to do well and I want to make a success of it as I did as a player."

Next season will be the first for Giggs as a professional in which Sir Alex Ferguson has not been his manager, following the Scotsman's retirement in May. While he acknowledges the important influence of his former boss, Giggs also believes that players must take responsibility for maintaining high standards.

"Obviously I'd be stupid not to pick up on bits that I've learned from the [former] manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]," Giggs said. "The players manage the dressing room, which is important really.

"The manager doesn't want to be dealing with little problems in the changing room all the time. I think it's important that you're self-disciplined in the changing room and that the standards are set.

"You have to make sure you stand by those both on and off the pitch with regards training, looking after yourself and making sure you get the right rest to ensure you produce the best football."

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