Ryan Giggs ’ illustrious career at Manchester United Football Club has come to an end. 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 made more appearances and won more honors than any other player in the club’s uniquely elite history. With Jose Mourinho now the Manager at Old Trafford, Giggsy has decided to turn down the job they offered him, and pursue future options elsewhere.
Giggs served as the #2 assistant under Louis van Gaal for two years, but now Mourinho’s trusted comrade Rui Faria will replace him in that capacity. There is also no place for Giggs in Mourinho’s backroom staff.
Giggs clearly has designs on becoming a manager. During his final season as a player he had a four game stint as caretaker manager following the sacking of David Moyes, and Van Gaal has said publicly many times that Giggs was to succeed him once the Dutchman realized the third and final year of his contract.
Obviously that didn’t happen, and unfortunately for Giggs, there doesn’t seem to be
1.) much demand for his services and
2.) a logical fit for him anywhere right now.
Giggs said today that ”the time feels right and, although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be. 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.”
Giggs’ lack of experience has raised doubts over how he could handle a big job of real magnitude. He needs a place to cut his teeth before he can boast a CV worthy of a major gig someday down the line. He won’t be getting that anywhere right now, so it seemingly is time for a sabbatical.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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