Giggs reveals Van Gaal forced him to retire

Matt Stead

Ryan Giggs has opened up on his tenure as Manchester United assistant manager.

The Welshman served as assistant to Louis van Gaal when the Dutchman was appointed as David Moyes’ replacement in summer 2014.

Giggs was still playing by that point – although he was not a regular fixture in the first team as he was under Sir Alex Ferguson.

In his first column with the Daily Telegraph, the 42-year-old has explained how Van Gaal, who left the club after two years last summer, essentially forced him to retire from playing.

When I first met Louis we got talking and he asked me to be his assistant after just 30 minutes of conversation,’ Giggs writes. ‘I accepted and then he told me that he had one condition. I had to retire.

‘In fact, he said he had made the decision for me. I was officially retired as a player as of that moment. As soon as he said so, it felt right.

‘I learned more about coaching from Louis over the next two years than I thought possible.

‘He was completely thorough. Everyone in the team knew their role exactly and in the first season we made good progress.

‘It was only last season that we lost our way although it would be wrong to say that was all Louis’ fault. We must all take our share of the blame.’