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Agence France-Presse

Ryan Giggs did the right thing leaving Manchester United, the club he served so loyally for nearly 30 years, his mentor Alex Ferguson said on Monday.
Ferguson, 74, and who guided Giggs and United to 13 Premier League title successes, two Champions League wins, four FA Cup triumphs and four League Cup crowns before retiring in 2013, said he felt Giggs possessed the qualities to make it as a manager.
Giggs, 42, left the club on Saturday after manager Jose Mourinho said he wanted long-time associate Rui Faria to be his assistant manager which meant a different role for the former Welsh wing.
Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for United, had been assistant manager under Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal.
“It is time Ryan stood on his own feet, got out there and accepted the challenge,” said Ferguson, the man who gave Giggs his debut.
“I talk about his poker face. He has a bit of steel about him.
“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, who has had to watch from the sidelines as both David Moyes and Van Gaal failed to build on his legacy and seen United drop away from title contention, said it was understandable Mourinho would bring his own faithful lieutenant with him.
“You have got to have, in your assistant, someone you have trusted all your life,” said Ferguson.
“When I came to United, I brought Archie Knox because he was a valuable person for me. I trusted him 100 per cent.
“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.”
Ferguson, who has unlike fellow United legend and director Bobby Charlton always been a fan of the volatile Mourinho, said he hoped Giggs chose his first management job wisely.
“I think he is ready to manage and he has a lot of quality,” said Ferguson.
“He doesn’t want to spoil that quality by going to a club where it is sacking a manager every two minutes.”
As for when he first saw him as a teenager Ferguson said he had no doubts Giggs would develop into a superb player.
“You knew right away... the way he ran over the ground,” said Ferguson.
“I referred to it like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind. His feet never seemed to touch the ground.”


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English Premier League

Time for Ryan Giggs to stand on his own feet, says Alex Ferguson

Alex Ferguson chats to Ryan Giggs during a media conference in 2006. The two shared a close relationship during the all-conquering years at Manchester United. Photo: AFP

Football Soccer - Manchester United v FC Midtjylland - UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg - Old Trafford, Manchester, England - 25/2/16 Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and assistant manager Ryan Giggs Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Manchester United's Interim Welsh player-manager Ryan Giggs smiles after taking a free kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Hull City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 6, 2014. Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs named himself on the bench for his side's home game with Hull City on Tuesday, potentially setting the scene for a farewell appearance. Giggs, 40, will step down as interim manager after Sunday's final Premier League game at Southampton and his contract as a player is also due to expire. Manchester United won the game 3-1. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Sport

Mentor says Welsh wizard has done the right thing leaving Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and has the qualities to make it as a manager


Time for Ryan Giggs to stand on his own feet, says Alex Ferguson

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Mentor says Welsh wizard has done the right thing leaving Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and has the qualities to make it as a manager

Mentor says Welsh wizard has done the right thing leaving Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and has the qualities to make it as a manager