Ryan Giggs has once again been left off the Premier League’s Hall of Fame shortlist, despite several of his former Manchester United team-mates being put forward.
The Old Trafford great, a 13-time league winner and the competition’s all-time assist leader with 162, has never been nominated since the Hall of Fame was created in 2021.
His omission comes as his legacy continues to be clouded by scandal. Giggs was exposed for an affair with his brother’s wife Natasha, took out a gagging order over a fling with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas, and later saw his marriage collapse.
More recently, his managerial career with Wales ended in turmoil after he was arrested on suspicion of assault in 2020. He always denied the allegations and was cleared in 2023 after his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville withdrew from a retrial.
Giggs, now 51, has not returned to management since and works only in the background as director of football at Salford City.
This year’s shortlist again includes a strong Manchester United presence. Patrice Evra and Teddy Sheringham have been nominated for the first time, joining Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Owen, who were all previously shortlisted.
Ryan Giggs has once again been left off the Premier League ’s Hall of Fame shortlist, despite several of his former Manchester United team-mates being put forward
The Old Trafford great, a 13-time league winner and the competition’s all-time assist leader with 162, has never been nominated since the Hall of Fame
This year’s shortlist again includes a strong Manchester United presence. Patrice Evra and Teddy Sheringham have been nominated for the first time
Chelsea legends Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas are the headline names from outside Old Trafford.
Hazard was twice a Premier League champion and four-time Chelsea Player of the Year, dazzling fans with his goals and assists during seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Fabregas sits second on the all-time Premier League assists chart with 111, orchestrating title triumphs for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Blues already boast five names in the Hall of Fame, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, John Terry and Ashley Cole, and could soon add two more if Hazard and Fabregas are successful in the fan vote.
Arsenal Invincible Sol Campbell, Liverpool favourites Robbie Fowler and Owen, Spurs icon Jermain Defoe, Manchester City duo David Silva and Yaya Toure, and QPR hero Les Ferdinand complete the 15-man list.
Together, the nominees account for more than 5,000 Premier League appearances, over 1,000 goals and 44 league titles across four decades of the competition.
Supporters can vote via the Premier League app and website until September 15, with the results then presented to the 24 current Hall of Famers, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney, who will have the final say.
The two successful players will be inducted at a London ceremony on November 4, each receiving a medallion and a £10,000 donation made in their name to a charity of their choice.
