" Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 11:03 am
Manchester United FC assistant Ryan Giggs reveals love for Cardiff City and the truth about rumours he would join them
By Steve Tucker
Monday 29/06/15
Wales legend Ryan Giggs has revealed his love of Cardiff City, but finally put to bed rumours he was ever poised to play for his hometown club or will return there one day in a management role.
Born in the Welsh capital, Giggs ended up as a youngster in Manchester United’s prestigious academy and went on to enjoy at Old Trafford the greatest Premier League career of any player. He secured a record-breaking 13 Premier League titles and has made more appearances in the division than any other player.
The former Wales international is now 41 and assistant boss at United to Louis van Gaal.
As his playing career wound down there were persistent reports he might return to the Welsh capital to take up a role with the Bluebirds, but Giggs has finally set the record straight on the club he admits he loves, but one which was never able to satisfy the ambitions his talents merited.
“Cardiff is the place where I was born, it was where I grew up. It will always have a special place in my heart,” said Giggs.
“My family still lives there and I come back quite often, maybe six or seven times a year, but when it comes to football because back then Cardiff were really always in the lower divisions it was not possible.
“Towards the end they got up there and I was fortunate enough to play against them in the Premier League which honestly I thought was never going to happen, but the idea of playing for them, no, I was always happy at United and that was coaching-wise and management-wise too. At the moment that’s where I am and it’s a case of just trying to learn my trade. Where that takes me in the future, well, in football you never know that.
“I did see things saying near the end I would play for Cardiff, but as for that, I was at United, I’m at United now and that obviously was my main focus and remains my main focus.”
But as he enjoyed that glittering career in Manchester, Giggs has revealed he always had one eye on how the Bluebirds were doing. As they started knocking on the door of Premier League promotion, Giggs had his fingers crossed his hometown club would finally make it to the top flight so that another of his dreams might be realised. The Cardiff boy wanted to play against the Bluebirds in the Premier League in the Welsh capital.
“Cardiff have always been the first result I look for after United, the one that mattered, it’s always been that way,” said Giggs.
“I always want to know how they are doing. I remember those seasons when they were getting closer to the Premier League, there were a few seasons they just missed out and I was absolutely gutted. I always wanted to play in Cardiff, it was one of the ambitions I had, I always wanted to play them in the Premier League in Cardiff.”
And Giggs finally got his wish when the Bluebirds finally earned promotion under then-manager Malky Mackay and on November 24, 2013, entertained United at the Cardiff City Stadium.
But, in a classic case of being careful what you wish for, Giggs discovered things did not quite work out that day as he might have wished.
He found himself named among the substitutes and when he finally did get on the pitch in the 73rd minute he had to look on as, with virtually the last kick of the game, the Bluebirds’ South Korean international, Kim Bo-kKyung, scored to earn the home side a 2-2 draw.
Giggs is philosophical about the big occasion now mind, commenting with a chuckle: “I came on as a sub in the end and United drew when Cardiff got that late goal, so, I’ll be honest, it wasn’t how I’d really imagined it in the end at all.”
By Steve Tucker
Monday 29/06/15
Wales legend Ryan Giggs has revealed his love of Cardiff City, but finally put to bed rumours he was ever poised to play for his hometown club or will return there one day in a management role.
Born in the Welsh capital, Giggs ended up as a youngster in Manchester United’s prestigious academy and went on to enjoy at Old Trafford the greatest Premier League career of any player. He secured a record-breaking 13 Premier League titles and has made more appearances in the division than any other player.
The former Wales international is now 41 and assistant boss at United to Louis van Gaal.
As his playing career wound down there were persistent reports he might return to the Welsh capital to take up a role with the Bluebirds, but Giggs has finally set the record straight on the club he admits he loves, but one which was never able to satisfy the ambitions his talents merited.
“Cardiff is the place where I was born, it was where I grew up. It will always have a special place in my heart,” said Giggs.
“My family still lives there and I come back quite often, maybe six or seven times a year, but when it comes to football because back then Cardiff were really always in the lower divisions it was not possible.
“Towards the end they got up there and I was fortunate enough to play against them in the Premier League which honestly I thought was never going to happen, but the idea of playing for them, no, I was always happy at United and that was coaching-wise and management-wise too. At the moment that’s where I am and it’s a case of just trying to learn my trade. Where that takes me in the future, well, in football you never know that.
“I did see things saying near the end I would play for Cardiff, but as for that, I was at United, I’m at United now and that obviously was my main focus and remains my main focus.”
But as he enjoyed that glittering career in Manchester, Giggs has revealed he always had one eye on how the Bluebirds were doing. As they started knocking on the door of Premier League promotion, Giggs had his fingers crossed his hometown club would finally make it to the top flight so that another of his dreams might be realised. The Cardiff boy wanted to play against the Bluebirds in the Premier League in the Welsh capital.
“Cardiff have always been the first result I look for after United, the one that mattered, it’s always been that way,” said Giggs.
“I always want to know how they are doing. I remember those seasons when they were getting closer to the Premier League, there were a few seasons they just missed out and I was absolutely gutted. I always wanted to play in Cardiff, it was one of the ambitions I had, I always wanted to play them in the Premier League in Cardiff.”
And Giggs finally got his wish when the Bluebirds finally earned promotion under then-manager Malky Mackay and on November 24, 2013, entertained United at the Cardiff City Stadium.
But, in a classic case of being careful what you wish for, Giggs discovered things did not quite work out that day as he might have wished.
He found himself named among the substitutes and when he finally did get on the pitch in the 73rd minute he had to look on as, with virtually the last kick of the game, the Bluebirds’ South Korean international, Kim Bo-kKyung, scored to earn the home side a 2-2 draw.
Giggs is philosophical about the big occasion now mind, commenting with a chuckle: “I came on as a sub in the end and United drew when Cardiff got that late goal, so, I’ll be honest, it wasn’t how I’d really imagined it in the end at all.”
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:15 pm
Yes...No chance of him coming here then and nice photo of Kaairdiff boy Giggsy with a team from Mumbles!Bloody ell, walesonline are desperate for non-stories!
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:07 pm
For me he is a red through and through and didn't care much for playing for Wales either.
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:17 pm
My beliefs/opinion and what I know,Giggs has never cared for Cardiff City one bit and as to Wales Hmmmm?
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:37 pm
No denying Giggs talent as a player, and his trophy cabinet must be the biggest in football. But is he Wales best ever player ? In my opinion Gareth Bale has been Wales best player so far and he is only 25. Is Giggs the best Wales player who couldn't give a shit about Wales ? Yes without a doubt.
On Cardiff City he is now in his 40s and only just mentioned his home town Club. But he is Manchester United through and through and the fact as player and Manager and now assistant manager he has stayed at one club only. That I have to admire but as to his international exploits I give him a big fat zero.
On Cardiff City he is now in his 40s and only just mentioned his home town Club. But he is Manchester United through and through and the fact as player and Manager and now assistant manager he has stayed at one club only. That I have to admire but as to his international exploits I give him a big fat zero.
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:21 pm
Cant stand him.
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Tue Jun 30, 2015 4:08 am
He said them instead of we. that speaks volumes.
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:25 pm
obviously, it was in his contract with Man U that to prolong his career there he couldn't turn up for Wales friendlies
ok I would, like a lot of you, would of said f**k you I'm playing for Wales end of............
ok I would, like a lot of you, would of said f**k you I'm playing for Wales end of............
Re: " Giggs reveals truth about Cardiff City "
Wed Jul 01, 2015 8:58 pm
BEEP AHM wrote:obviously, it was in his contract with Man U that to prolong his career there he couldn't turn up for Wales friendlies
ok I would, like a lot of you, would of said f**k you I'm playing for Wales end of............
Even when he was younger he didn't turn out much. His total caps says it all really