Premier League - Giggs drops retirement hint

Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jan 16:37:00 2009

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has given a strong hint that he could retire when his contract expires in the summer.

FOOTBALL Manchester United Ryan Giggs - 0

The 35-year-old Welshman has not yet been offered a new deal and admitted that, after 19 years of loyal service to the reigning Premier League champions, he may be forced to hang up his boots.

"I will keep playing as long as I enjoy it, I am fit and the manager wants me," Giggs told The Sun.

"If one of those three things stops, I will consider retiring.

"It could be at the end of this season. Or it could be the next one. I am at the end of my contract in May, so we will see. At the minute, there hasn't been any contact with United.

"I am as fit as I have ever been. The only difference is recovering from games.

"Two days after a game, I am still tired. Before, I could play Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Wednesday no problem.

"Today, I would be a lot less efficient at doing things. Nowadays, I only play once a week, it's very good that way."

Giggs has won every possible trophy during his time at United, with 10 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns representing the pinnacle of his achievements.

He admits that he would slip into retirement as a contented man, should he be forced to do so, with age having mellowed him and allowed him to appreciate how fortunate he has been.

Giggs added: "Today, victories and titles make me happier than when I was younger, because I know that they could be the last ones.

"The Champions League win last season made me a lot happier than in 1999, for instance.

"I am lot more confident than I was before. My relation to stress has changed over the years.

"When I was first in the first team, at 17 or 18, I felt no pressure at all. Nothing. It lasted for three to four years.

"Then things changed, injuries happened, I had poor games, and suddenly I started feeling the pressure. It weighed on my game.

"But since I turned 30, I don't think about anything any more, there's no pressure."

TeamTalk / Eurosport

Comment 90 - 109 of 129

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  1. I can't stand MU but Giggs is a class act.
    Always­ on duty, no fouling and fantastic to watch.
    I'll be­ sorry to see him stop playing.....but not sorry for­ United.

    From PETER W, on Tue 6 Jan 4:31PM

  2. shame to see him go, should be offered training role at­ united to pass on his wisdom.

    From d.jones718, on Tue 6 Jan 4:25PM

  3. MICK CUMMINS AND STEVEN K , 2 @#$%, GIGGS IS A LEGEND,

    From LYNDSAY, on Tue 6 Jan 4:24PM

  4. I`m a big United fan and I really think that United­ should keep Ryan Giggs in the Old Trafford...His still­ in good shape and he could help United much in tough­ matches. That man is too good to let him retire...

    From kristjanalas555, on Tue 6 Jan 4:24PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    thanks god that @#$% is hanging up his boot, once a­ @#$% always a @#$%

    From douglas, on Tue 6 Jan 4:21PM

  6. a role model footballer...a legend,cristiano and others­ should listen and learn ...GO UNITED

    From Mr.Geo, on Tue 6 Jan 4:09PM

  7. one word sums him up for both his conduct on and off­ the football pich - CLASS.

    From D-bol, on Tue 6 Jan 3:59PM

  8. gerrybazz1, i'm a City fan and we're supposed­ to hate United more than you
    but i feel exactly the­ same way
    ryan giggs has just been a superb player for­ the red side of manchester
    a true legend

    From davidbanks15, on Tue 6 Jan 3:52PM

  9. GIGGSY FOR FERGIE'S JOB ON HIS HEARTBREAKING­ DEPARTURE! HE'S THE ONLY MAN WHO'LL KNOW­ FERGIE'S WAY OF THINKING! A TRUE RED LEGEND WHO HAS­ BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. COME ON­ THE REDS FOR SUNDAY TO WIPE THAT SMUG EXPRESSION OFF­ DIRTY CHELSEAS FACES ON SUNDAY WHEN WE TAKE THREE­ POINTS OFF THEM AND A FEW GOALS OFF THEIR TALLY :0D

    From katiekatiekatie83, on Tue 6 Jan 3:51PM

  10. As a supporter of lfc for 30 years as much as it pains­ me to admit Ryan Giggs is fantastic,he will be a loss­ to the premier league and Man.Utd when he­ retires.RE;COMMENT 59;STEVEN.K ,YOU ARE THE SORT OF­ FAN NO TEAM NEEDS,WHAT A SHAME FOR REAL L.F.C FANS THAT­ WE ARE THE UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO HAVE GOT YOU!!!

    From , on Tue 6 Jan 3:48PM

  11. RYAN GIGGS IS AN EXAMPLE TO ALL FOOTBALLERS, AN­ INSPIRATION WHO'S SKILLS AND DETERMINATION WILL BE­ REMEMBERED FOREVER.

    THANK YOU RYAN!

    From Ronan, on Tue 6 Jan 3:32PM

  12. even the most diehard of plazzie scousers (like me)­ would have to say this man has been one of the alltime­ greats - of any era

    From evanskopite, on Tue 6 Jan 3:04PM

  13. gigsy king he gonna be a legend of EPL

    From wahwi, on Tue 6 Jan 2:56PM

  14. Paul mc - You are correct with Owen he used his option­ to play for England through his parents and turned his­ back on Wales, as he did with Liverpool when they­ would'nt be held to ransom, a great player but a­ greedy one who's put money before his career, and­ that career has nosedived since he left Anfield.

    From steven, on Tue 6 Jan 2:51PM

  15. A season down Cardiff City would top off his career.­ His hometown, new stadium and Premier League football.­ Could be City's best ever signing. C'mon Giggs,­ 1 Season.

    From Nicola, on Tue 6 Jan 2:45PM

  16. my god,i cant believe that Giggs is gona be gone­ soon.He is my role model and I copied my playing style­ in accordance to him,even switching to left footer in­ honour of him!!!nuff said?
    You the man GIGGS

    From Brian, on Tue 6 Jan 2:40PM

  17. AS A CHELSEA FAN I AM SUPPOSED TO NOT SEE THE GOOD IN­ MANCHESTER UNITED...!
    AS A TRUE FOOTBALL FAN AND A­ LOVER OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME I DOFF MY HAT AND I TAKE A­ BOW TO ONE OF THE SHARPEST, SMARTEST AND MAGICAL­ PLAYERS OF THE LAST 20 YEARS.

    RYAN GIGGS HAS BEEN BOTH­ ASTONISHING AND FASCINATING ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH...A­ TRUE DISCIPLE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.

    THANKS­ "GIGGSY"!

    GERALD

    From gerrybazz1, on Tue 6 Jan 2:35PM

  18. Chris c - I think you'll find Giggsy played for­ English school's which does'nt make him­ eligible for England.

    From steven, on Tue 6 Jan 2:33PM

  19. GORDON STRACHAN are you looking ? sign him and paul­ scholes, both have still got a couple of years in them­ and would be enormous in champs league next season.

    From kevspr, on Tue 6 Jan 2:32PM

  20. RE: Giggs playing for England. He didnt play for­ England he only played for England Schoolboys because­ he went to school in England. He never had an option to­ play full international for England.

    From James, on Tue 6 Jan 2:28PM
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