Ryan Giggs quit Manchester United – after 29 years

Manchester United have confirmed Ryan Gigg’s departure from the club after a 29 years spell as both player and assistant coach, following Jose Mourihno’s decision to give him a lesser role in the team’s management. 

Ryan Giggs joined Manchester United on his 14th birthday in 1987 and is departing as a 42 year old.

He revealed that he was leaving to pursue his “managerial” career. Giggs said the time was ripe for him to make a “huge decision” to move on and praised Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis Van Gaal for their influence on him.

He also congratulated Jose Mourinho on his appointment, saying “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”.

Ryan Giggs made 963 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 168 goals in the process.

He won 13 English Premier League titles, four Football Association FA Cups, four Football League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and one Super Cup, as well as one Intercontinental cup and one FIFA World Club Cup.

Sportsmail revealed that the Welshman had decided to end his 29-year association with United after rejecting a significantly reduced coaching role under new manager Jose Mourinho.

The club have now confirmed the parting of ways, after agreeing a severance package with the 42-year-old.

Taking to their Twitter account United said that Giggs, who served on the coaching staff for three years, was leaving to pursue his managerial career.

“The time feels right and, although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be,” he said.

“Its a huge decision to step away from the club that’s been my life since the age of 14. It’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I’m excited about the future.”

Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for the Red Devils, had one more year on his contract as assistant manager but new boss Jose Mourinho is expected to give that role to Rui Faria.

The Old Trafford club had hoped Giggs could be persuaded to stay on in a different role but the 42-year-old Welshman has decided to move on.

“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,” he said.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate in having two great managerial mentors; first in Sir Alex (Ferguson), 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 reiterate my thanks to the backroom staff and support teams at Manchester United I’ve worked with over the years. The results on the pitch are a reflection of the hard work off it.

“I would not have achieved the success I have without the dedication, sacrifice and commitment of these people in creating the best environment for the team to succeed.” he concluded.