Today is a fantastic day for Manchester United. Louis van Gaal is a great appointment and let me begin by telling you how delighted I am to be working with someone of his calibre. His credentials are second to none and I’m positive the club will thrive under his leadership over the coming years.
I would also like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from professional football and embark upon a new and exciting chapter in my life, as assistant manager of Manchester United. I am immensely proud, honoured and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times. My dream was always to play for Manchester United, and although it saddens me to know I won’t be pulling on a United jersey again as a player, I have been lucky enough to have fulfilled that dream playing with some of the best players in the world, working under an incredible manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, and most of all, playing for the greatest fans in world football. I have always felt and appreciated your support.
I want to also give a huge thanks to the backroom staff and support teams we have and have had at Manchester United over the years. I would not have achieved the success I have without your continuing dedication and commitment to creating the best environment to enable the players to thrive. I would not have won 34 trophies in my career without you. I would also like to say a special thanks to my friends and family for all your love and support.
For me, today is a new chapter filled with many emotions - immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future. United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way. To the greatest fans in world football, thank you, I have loved every minute of playing for you and representing the biggest and best club in the world.
See you next season,
Ryan
I... this is a bit too much. There will be no more "GIGGS 11" jersey next season. Someone else might wear that number. I know we're still going to see him often, with his being our assistant manager, but...still! Giggsy has finished his playing career, winning a major trophy every 27.5 games. That's just insane. It's quite a shame he didn't manage to score a league goal this past season. And it's even more of a shame that his last season as a player was arguably his worst. This also marks the end of the Class of 92 era.
I understand that a player testimonial is usually held to mark a 10 year service to a club, and that Giggs has had his back then. But he's been at the club for more than 20 years, so he deserves a second testimonial right? Just let me watch him play one more time. I really am sad that I never got to watch him play live at Old Trafford.
Thank you for all the years, Giggsy. Hope for plenty more to come with you as assistant manager and then manager. Truly is Mr. Man United.
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