The 'Class Of '92' have become a real brand since the last of their stable has retired. Part of the mystique surrounding the likes of Gary & Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs has meant that they have been able to garner great opportunities for themselves due to their illustrious playing career.
John Giles believes that the group of former footballers are trading on their reputations on the pitch a bit too much and took them down a peg or two in his Independent.ie column today. The RTÉ pundit tore into the group, starting with current Wales manager Ryan Giggs.
Giles criticised Giggs for speaking on Pep Guardiola's achievements compared to his own medal haul, believing that the former United winger wasn't in a position to comment given how little he has done as a manager.
Giles questioned Giggs's managerial credentials, saying that there was no doubt he "traded heavily on his record as a player" in order to even be considered for the Wales job.
The former Leeds midfielder then took aim at Gary Neville for his jump from Sky Sports to a failed stint at Valencia which Giles says proved he had "no clue about managing a football club". He then made the point that Neville was 'indulged' by being allowed to remain as a pundit while working as England as an assistant coach.
Brother Neville was next in the firing line as Giles dropped a hilarious line about the ex-Everton captains' coaching experience:
He might turn out to be a great choice [for England Women's manager] but like his brother, he has no miles on the clock as the manager of anything other than himself.
Giles then moved on to Paul Scholes who he believes "sits carping on the sideline" after a failed attempt to get a job at Old Trafford and stated that of all the class of '92, not one has emerged as a very successful manager. It feels like Giles' ill-will to the group has been stewing for a while, but you have to agree he does make some salient points, however embittered they may come across.
Giles did commend David Beckham for his exploits past his playing career, for realising that he wasn't suited to management. But by singling out Beckham for praise, Giles only showed what contempt he has for the rest of 'the Class'.
