Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has admitted that he isn’t sure of the “criteria” for receiving a nomination for a major award in his post-playing career.
The 51-year-old Welshman bowed out of football as a player in 2014 after spending his entire legendary playing career at Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs was one of the breakout ‘Class of ‘92’ stars at Old Trafford and rose to prominence during the 1990s under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
A famed United youth academy product, Giggs spent the large majority of his United career under Sir Alex Ferguson and became a long-term presence in the first team.
The ex-United star became the Premier League club’s all-time leading appearance-maker after a whopping 963 appearances for the Red Devils’ senior team.
During his distinguished career at Old Trafford, Giggs lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and four League Cups with United.
The former Wales international was part of the last United team to lift the Premier League trophy under Ferguson before the Scotsman bowed out as a manager.
Man Utd legend Giggs on major snub
Ryan Giggs played one season at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and began taking his steps into the world of coaching and management.
The former Wales and United winger was a player-coach under David Moyes before he became interim player-manager after the Scotsman was axed in 2014.
Giggs would later spend two seasons as United assistant manager under Louis van Gaal before the Dutchman was sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho in 2016.
The United legend became Wales manager in 2018, but he stepped away from his role in November 2020 after being arrested and was later charged.
Giggs, who staunchly denied any wrongdoing, resigned as Wales manager in 2022 and his name was later cleared in 2023 of the allegations against him.
The ex-Wales boss has not been included in the Premier League Hall of Fame, which started in 2021, despite winning a record number of league titles.
The Hall of Fame picks are decided by both a panel and by the public vote, with United legend Andy Cole and Ashley Cole and John Terry being included in 2024.
Giggs, who has never been nominated for the Hall of Fame, insisted that he would still be “quite happy” with his career even if he is never included in the Hall of Fame.
“When you start playing football, something like the Hall of Fame isn’t something you think about,” he told The Athletic, as per The New York Times.
“You think about playing as many games as you can. I was lucky enough to play for the team that I supported, winning trophies, Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, FA Cups, League Cups.
“The Hall of Fame wasn’t going even when I was playing, it wasn’t until when I finished. I don’t know what the criteria are to get in, but as far as I’m concerned, if it comes, great.
“If it doesn’t, then, you know, I’m quite happy with how my career has gone.”
Giggs on Man Utd career in mainstream
Giggs has not returned to management since he stepped down as Wales manager and was cleared of allegations that he assaulted his former partner and her sister.
The United legend has not been as prominent in the limelight and Giggs has been working behind the scenes at Salford City as director of football.
Giggs was asked if he could see his United achievements coming back into the ‘mainstream’ and he claimed that his main efforts are focused on Salford City.
“Who knows? I mean, it’s hard to get too far ahead of yourself with football,” he said.
“I certainly never did that while I was playing, while I was coaching, while I was managing. You just never know what’s around the corner.
“All my efforts at the moment are with Salford City. Of course, I support United, but this is a full-time job.
“It’s a weird dynamic, director of football and a co-owner as well, but at the moment I’m enjoying football more than ever.”
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