Giggs passes United Way to Mourinho in emotional farewell
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ryan Giggs bowed out of Old Trafford after 29 years yesterday with a reminder to Jose Mourinho that the club’s DNA is to give youth a chance and play attacking football.
In a departure statement that was every bit as fascinating as you’d expect from one of the most important figures in the club’s history, Giggs backed Mourinho to succeed at United and he also thanked Alex Ferguson and Louis van Gaal for their influence on his career – but failed to mention David Moyes.
The 42-year-old also confirmed that the next stage of his career was to become a manager.
Giggs played a record 963 times for United between 1991 and 2014 and won a remarkable 35 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. He first joined the club as a 14-year-old and was present throughout Ferguson’s incredible rein at Old Trafford.
Announcing his decision to leave, Giggs said: ‘After 29 seasons at Manchester United as a player and assistant manager, I know winning is in the DNA of this Club – giving youth a chance, and playing attacking and exciting football.
‘It’s healthy to have high expectations, it’s right to expect to win. Manchester United expects, deserves, nothing less.
‘This is why it is a huge decision for me to step away from the club that has been my life since the age of 14. It has not been a decision that I have made lightly. I’ll take away so many special memories as well as a lifetime of experiences that will, I hope, serve me well in the future.
‘However, the time feels right and although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be.’
Giggs is believed to have been unhappy with the direction in which United went after Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He played for a season under Moyes – taking over as interim manager for the final games after the Scot was sacked – before hanging up his boots and then worked as Van Gaal’s assistant for the past two seasons. Rui Faria is expected to replace him as Mourinho’s No 2.
Without mentioning Moyes, Giggs added: ‘I’ve been extremely fortunate in having two great managerial mentors; first in Sir Alex, who I’ve spent the majority of my life working with and learning from and who I believe will remain as football’s greatest ever manager and in more recent times, Louis Van Gaal, whose CV speaks for itself. The knowledge I have gleaned from them has been invaluable.’
Though Mourinho has a reputation for prioritising defence and was criticised at Chelsea for not giving young players a chance, Giggs thinks he will succeed at Old Trafford – provided he takes heed of the club’s traditions.
‘I want to congratulate José Mourinho on his appointment as manager of the world’s biggest club. There are only a handful of proven winners at the very highest level and José is unquestionably one of them,’ he said.
‘My final thank you is to the fans. I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss walking out at Old Trafford in front of you. It’s extremely difficult to say goodbye after 29 years. I have loved every minute. The support you have always shown me has been phenomenal; thank you.
‘It’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I’m excited about the future – I’ve had the best apprenticeship into management anyone could ever ask for.’
Executive Vice Chairman, Ed Woodward added: Ryan’s place in the history of Manchester United is assured. He has been a constant presence at the Club since 1987 and during his playing days, regularly delighted crowds; first with his dazzling wing play and later with his intelligence and ability to dictate a game.
‘He has tackled his coaching and management responsibilities with similar rigour and diligence. He has all the attributes to be a terrific manager in the future.’
Giggs was one of England’s leading pin-ups and compared to George Best when he burst into the United first-team at 17.
Under Ferguson’s strict guidance – legend has it that he turned up at a house party to turf out Giggs and Lee Sharp and send them to bed – he developed into one of the club’s senior professionals and was part of the Treble-winning team in 1999, where his solo goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final is one of the most famous ever scored by a United player.
He prolonged his career by moving into central midfield and passed Bobby Charlton’s record number of appearances, ending up with 168 goals in 963 games.