Dubai: Dwight Yorke would consider forming a managerial double act with his former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs, insisting he “100 per cent” supports the Welshman’s credentials as a future boss.
Speaking to Gulf News in Dubai, the ex-United striker said he “wouldn’t rule out anything” to further his own aspirations to be a manager — including a job in the UAE — and is adamant he possesses all the attributes to lead a football club.
Yorke cited the examples of Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane as proof that past players of renown can cut it in the dugout, despite minimal managerial experience.
“I think the next step for Ryan Giggs is very important,” said Yorke, after promoting Manchester United’s partnership with Gulf Oil Middle East at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday. “Whether I’m part of that or not is nothing to do with me. I’m open to ideas and I’ve stated my interest that I want to get into management.
“I’m not sure I’d want to be a number two, but I look at every situation that is presented to me. I just want Giggsy to make sure that he’s made the right move and if I can help in anyway, I will.”
Yorke is not short of confidence about his own potential capabilities to manage, having enjoyed a glittering playing career — the highlight being four golden years at Manchester United between 1998 and 2002.
“I will be 45 this year and I played for so long, worked under great managers, worked in the media and have seen football from a different perspective,” explained Yorke, who won six major trophies at Old Trafford, including a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup trophies in 1999. “I feel as a player I’ve always been a good person in the dressing room and get on with people. I think I have the combination of coaching and being a man-manager that people can relate to, given that I have a wealth of experience playing under great managers and not-so-good managers.
“I will be a good manager, but I will not know that for sure until I am given that opportunity.”
The former Trinidad and Tobago international had publicly declared his interest in managing Aston Villa, his first professional club, before Roberto Di Matteo became the Championship’s side’s supremo in June.
“I wouldn’t rule out anything,” he added. “It could be in Dubai or Qatar or anywhere.”
His greatest footballing mentor was Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, so would he seek to copy the legendary Scot?
“I am definitely not a Sir Alex Ferguson even if I tried, I probably wouldn’t come close,” Yorke said, laughing. “I certainly wouldn’t be giving the hairdryer treatment, of which I have been under the spell of a few times. Managers have got to have a different personality — being strong at times and knowing when to put an arm around players.
“It’s all about getting the players together and I feel like I could do that.”
While supportive of Jose Mourinho’s appointment as Manchester United manager last month, Yorke feels Giggs should have been given the chance to lead the club he represented with distinction for 29 years.
The club’s most decorated player spent a brief spell as the club’s interim manager in 2014, after which he was assistant to Louis van Gaal until the Dutchman was sacked in May.
“I’ve always said that I think he should have been given a chance when you look at what’s happened globally in football with Zidane winning the European Cup [at Real Madrid last season] in his first season in charge and Pep at Barcelona,” said Yorke, who scored 48 goals in 96 appearances for United. “He’s well equipped to go into management after being assistant to Van Gaal and playing under Sir Alex. I will be supporting Ryan Giggs 100 per cent.”
