Ryan Giggs has confirmed that he has left Manchester United to pursue his managerial ambitions after 29 years of service at Old Trafford.
The Welshman arrived at the club at the age of 14 and went on to make 963 appearances for the Reds, a club record, while winning almost every honour there was to be won at club level.
He went on to serve as a player-coach under David Moyes, taking charge on a temporary basis for the final four games of the 2013-14 season after the Scotsman was sacked in April 2014. After his retirement as a player, he would go on to become Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager for the past two seasons before the Dutchman’s departure in May.
In a statement on the official United website, the 42-year-old explained his decision to leave:
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 also went on to thank Sir Alex Ferguson and Van Gaal for being his managerial mentors, before going on to wish José Mourinho good luck in his new role as United manager:
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.
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. I know the fans will welcome him.
Finally, the Welshman sent a message to the United fans – thanking them for all their support throughout the years and reiterating how tough of a decision it was to decide to leave Old Trafford after so many years:
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 both as a player and assistant manager. 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.
