New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted he did NOT force Ryan Giggs out of Old Trafford and that it was wholly the decision of the club’s hierarchy.
After an amazing 29 years with the club, United confirmed Giggs’ departure from the club on Saturday, with the Welshman keen to pursue a career in management.
The fan reaction to Giggs’ exit was mixed, with some blaming the new manager for their hero’s departure.
But, in his first interview as Red Devils boss, Mourinho insisted that was not the case and revealed the full details behind Giggs’ exit.
“It is not my responsibility that Ryan is not in the club”, said Mourinho, who was formally unveiled as the new Man United boss on Tuesday.
“The job Ryan wanted is the job the club decided to give me. It’s not my fault. Ryan wanted to be Manchester United manager.”
Mourinho went on to explain that he was faced with a similar choice at the start of his coaching career, and also was adamant Giggs would be welcome back at the club and would be a ‘natural choice’ in the future if he proves himself in management.
“From this moment Ryan wants to be a manager, like in 2000 when I decided myself I wanted to be a manager,” said the former Chelsea and Real Madrid chief.
“Many of us are stuck as coaches and for many us we have to make a decision and Ryan made a decision.
“He could be what he wanted in the club. The club wanted to give him any important job – he made a decision where you need to be brave.
“It is not easy. I was in Barcelona in 2000 and had a contract for two more years to be assistant – do you think it was easy for me to leave such a big club and go to a new fight?
“It was not easy and for Ryan it is not going to be easy going from assistant to manager.
“But good luck and if one day he wants to come back to the club while I am here I would never stop him coming back.
“If one day the club offers him the chance to become the manager I think it will be something natural and a consequence of success in his managerial career.”
