Jose Mourinho insists he was not behind Ryan Giggs’ departure from
Manchester United, claiming the Old Trafford legend left because he was
not offered the manager’s job.
Giggs brought an end to a glittering 29-year association with United
on Saturday, quitting his job as assistant manager and outlining his
plans to take a managing role elsewhere.
Mourinho has reportedly turned down the chance to employ former
winger Giggs as his right-hand man, instead preferring long-term
lieutenant Rui Faria.
But the Portuguese maintains he was not behind the Red Devils icon’s departure from the club.
“With Ryan, I want to make it clear,” Mourinho told reporters at his
United presentation. “The reality is that it is not my responsibility
that Ryan is not in the club.
“The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me, it’s not my fault.
“Ryan wanted to be Man United manager and the club, only they can tell you why they decided the job was for me.
“From this moment, Ryan wants to be a manager.”
Mourinho drew parallels between Giggs’ decision and his own step into
management, before backing the Welshman to make a return to his boyhood
club in the future.
“Sixteen years ago, I decided myself that I wanted to be a manager.
Many of us start as an assistant and for many of us a moment arrives
where we make a decision. Ryan made a decision.
“When you say I offered him a job, he could be whatever he wants in
the club, the club want to give him any important job in the club.
“He made a decision, a decision where you need to be brave.
“It happened with myself. I was in Barcelona in 2000, I had a contract for two years to be assistant.
“You think it was easy for me to be at a big club with stability and
go to a new fight? It was not easy and for Ryan it’s not just a step of
going from assistant to manager.
“It’s also the step to leave his house, 29 years is not 29 days. He was brave, he was honest, so good luck.
“One day, if he wants to come back while I’m here, I will never stop
him I will always say yes if the club asks my opinion. And if the club
offers him the chance to become the manager it will be natural and a
consequence of his managerial career.”
Another Old Trafford icon set to run his eye over Mourinho’s reign is
Alex Ferguson – the greatest manager in British history and a former
foe of the Portuguese.
“Ferguson told me to bring an umbrella,” Mourinho dryly added. “That was great advice.
“And he told me to bring my favourite wine. We will be together a
lot. He is on a bit of a holiday now, so we won’t meet this week.
“But once he returns, we will have a lot of time to meet. He is
always welcome to the training ground. We can share a lot of personal
stuff. His opinion is very important to me, just like so many club
legends have their opinion.
“They are all important to me, regardless of whether I agree. I will always try to learn from them.
