When new manager Jose Mourinho took over at Old Trafford a year ago, it initiated a series events that led to Ryan Giggs leaving Manchester United after 29 years of service with the club.
Unfortunately for Giggs, there was no new suitable open job for him at MUFC, or an obvious answer outside of it. He did have some offers, but the right one didn’t come along. He wasn’t ready for a big time managerial job as he still needs a place to cut his teeth before he can boast a CV worthy of a major gig someday down the line.
Today, he’s a coach for Wales and owner of Salford City. In his Daily Telegraph column, Giggs admitted that he had to see a psychiatrist in order to help him adjust to life after leaving United.
Institutionalised is a description I would apply to my life as a footballer at Manchester United.
I had been there from the age of 14 to 42, and my life had been so distinctively shaped by the rhythm of life at Old Trafford that I realised, when it was coming to the end last year, I had to make some preparations for the change.
Aaron Lennon’s story has made mental health of footballers an issue again and I think that for his sake and everyone else in the game it is important to be open about how we feel as professionals, and how we cope with stress.
I know that those outside of the game will point to our wages and the kind of lives we live and to an extent that does cushion us from the challenges that many face, but it does not make us immune.
When my life as a player and then coach at United came to an end last summer, I was at a major point of transition in my professional and my private life.
I made the decision to see a psychiatrist to learn how best to cope and some of the suggestions he made served me well in adapting to a new life outside of United.
Giggs referenced Everton midfielder Aaron Lennon, 30, was detained under the Mental Health Act last weekend amid concerns for Lennon’s own individual welfare. Lennon, who has the support of the Professional Footballers Association, hasn’t played since February 11th against Middlesbrough. Lennon’s story has pushed mental health issues back to the forefront of discussion.
Giggs is celebrated as the most decorated player the Premier League has produced, accumulating 34 career trophies over his 29 years with the Manchester United organization.
He has made more appearances and won more honors than any other player in the club’s unique and elite history. He served as an assistant at United under both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, but obviously there was no place for him under the new Mourinho staff.
After Moyes was sacked in 2014, he served as United’s interim manager for four games.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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