The decision to hang up their boots is one of the most significant moments in footballers’ lives.
Closing the book on a playing career is never a choice that’s taken lightly or rushed and the more illustrious the career, the more difficult it can be to call time.
That makes it all the more surprising to learn how Ryan Giggs’s retirement came about.
Giggs made 963 appearances for Manchester United but after reaching his 40th year on this planet, his ability to offer an on-pitch impact was dwindling and he was aware that the next stage of his life was fast approaching.
He was about to become an ex-professional.
But, oddly, the decision was not made on Giggs’ own terms as he revealed in his debut Telegraph column that his first conversation with Louis van Gaal resulted in the eccentric Dutchman effectively hanging up Giggs’ boots for him.
“When I first met Louis we got talking and he asked me to be his assistant after just 30 minutes of conversation,” Giggs wrote. “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.”
It takes some serious balls and brazenness to come into a job and immediately tell the club’s most decorated player that he must retire.
Louis van Gaal works in mysterious ways.
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