By Simon Stone
Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes the club will have a tough choice to make between Jose Mourinho and Ryan Giggs if they decide to replace Louis van Gaal as manager.
Van Gaal is contracted until the end of 2016/17 but has come under pressure during a disappointing season at Old Trafford.
United legend Giggs and ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Mourinho have emerged as two of the frontrunners to take charge if and when the 64-year-old Dutchman leaves.
Speaking exclusively to the BBC at his home in Milan, in his first interview since retiring, Vidic says former team-mate Giggs understands the workings of United after nearly three decades at the club, but rates Mourinho as one of the game’s best ever managers.
“I like the idea of Giggsy, but Mourinho has had success in the past,” the 34-year-old said. “It’s a hard choice. Is Giggsy ready or not? He knows. The club knows. I believe they will have an honest conversation.
“I want someone who knows the club and does the best for the club. I shared a dressing room with him. I know he will do that.
“Mourinho plays football in a certain way, that is well known, but I definitely respect Mourinho as a manager. He is one of the greatest ever, along with Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Vidic also:
- Said he received approaches from the United States and England before announcing his retirement in January
- Revealed he is in the process of earning his coaching badges and hopes one day to manage in England
- Called former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo “an example for how football players should train and live”
- Said the pressure of the David Moyes era was “twice the pressure we had under Ferguson”
- Said he believes the emerging young players at United can turn the club’s fortunes around
Why Retire?
Vidic announced he was ending his playing career in January, 10 days after he had been released from his contract by Inter Milan.
He received offers to join Major League Soccer, while there was interest in him from elsewhere, including a tentative approach from a club in England.
However, after suffering major knee and back injuries, the Serb never contemplated extending his career.
“It was the right time,” he said. “I didn’t think I could give 100%. It was better not to push, play longer and make myself even more hurt.”
He explained he did not want to return to England, a place he had given “the best years of my career”, and “not perform in the same way I did for United”.
Vidic at United:
- Premier League titles: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013
- Champions League title: 2008
- League Cup titles: 2006, 2009 and 2010
- Fifa Club World Cup titles: 2008
Vidic is still getting used to retirement. He has chosen to remain in Milan with his wife and children and has even started to learn how to ski – something he could not think about when he was still a player.
Offers of television punditry work have come in but in the long term he is keen on following former United club-mate Gary Neville into management. BBC Sport
