Ryan Giggs decision to part ways with Manchester United after a 29-year spell has met with approval from Sir Alex Ferguson. The Welshman’s former manager understood Gigg’s decision to leave, and expressed confidence that he had the qualities to succeed as a manager, while also noting Jose Mourinho was justified in his decision to not retain Louis van Gaal’s assistant.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Ferguson revealed that he felt the timing of Giggs’ decision was correct, saying “It is time Ryan stood on his own feet, got out there and accepted the challenge.” The Scot also praised Giggs, opining that he had the qualities to be a manager, saying “I talk about his poker face. He has a bit of steel about him.”
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Ferguson, who scouted Giggs as a 13 year old and brought him to United to begin a long and fruitful association, also went on to say that Giggs should be careful about which club he chooses to take over as manager, saying “I think he is ready to manage and he has a lot of quality. He doesn't want to spoil that quality by going to a club where it is sacking a manager every two minutes.”
“It is such a highly intense results industry, you need people who go into it to have a bit of steel about them, a bit of character and personality.”
Ferguson agrees with Mourinho’s decision to stick with Rui Faria
Ryan Giggs transitioned from player to a player-manager and then to Louis van Gaal’s assistant with characteristic ease in his 29 year spell. However, the appointment of Jose Mourinho through a spanner in the works of his hopeful ascension to the Old Trafford hotseat, with the Portuguese manager preferring to offer the assisstant manager role to longtime associate Rui Faria.
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Ferguson explained the reasoning behind Mourinho’s decision, saying “You have got to have, in your assistant, someone you have trusted all your life. When I came to United, I brought Archie Knox because he was a valuable person for me. I trusted him 100%. Jose Mourinho has had his assistant for years and, quite rightly, has stuck by his own man.
“If Jose hadn't had an assistant, I know he would have taken Ryan.”
Giggs has yet to make a decision about his future, although he did release a statement explaining his intention to enter management full-time.
