Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs labels City boss Pep Guardiola 'the manager of this generation'

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has admitted Pep 'Guardiola has gone on to become the manager of this generation' ahead of Manchester City's crunch clash with Premier League title rivals, Chelsea.

The 43-year-old Welshman has also revealed that Guardiola almost indirectly ended his career, after the Spanish coach's Barcelona side beat United in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome.

A Samuel Eto'o opener and a Lionel Messi clincher gave the Blaugrana a 2-0 victory over the Red Devils at the Stadio Olimpico, and Giggs has said that after that game in contemplated retiring.

Ryan Giggs (centre) looks glum after Manchester United's defeat by Barcelona in 2009
Ryan Giggs (centre) looks glum after Manchester United's defeat by Barcelona in 2009
Barca manager Pep Guardiola is given the bumps after the Champions League final victory
Barca manager Pep Guardiola is given the bumps after the Champions League final victory
(From left) Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand at the Stadio Olimpico in May 2009
(From left) Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand at the Stadio Olimpico in May 2009

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Giggs said: 'The first occasion I faced a Pep Guardiola team, I sat alone on the team coach after the match and for the first time in my playing career I thought seriously about retiring from football.