Ryan Giggs snubbed again as Premier League Hall of Fame shortlist revealed

• Ryan Giggs, a 13-time league winner and Premier League’s all-time assist leader, has never been nominated since the Hall of Fame’s creation in 2021.
• His omission continues amid off-field scandals and the fallout from his managerial career ending in turmoil.
• This year’s nominees include Chelsea icons Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas, alongside a strong Manchester United contingent.

Ryan Giggs has once again been left out of the Premier League Hall of Fame shortlist, despite a glittering career that saw him win 13 league titles and register a record 162 assists. The former Manchester United winger has never been nominated since the Hall of Fame was launched in 2021, with his legacy continuing to be overshadowed by off-field controversies.

Giggs’ personal life became public scandal when his affair with his brother’s wife Natasha was exposed, followed by a gagging order over a fling with Imogen Thomas and the collapse of his marriage. His coaching career also ended in turmoil when he was arrested in 2020 on suspicion of assault. He denied the allegations and was cleared in 2023 after ex-girlfriend Kate Greville withdrew from a retrial.

Now 51, Giggs has not returned to management since and currently works in the background as director of football at Salford City.

In contrast, several of his former United teammates have been nominated this year. Patrice Evra and Teddy Sheringham are new additions to the list, joining Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Owen, who have all been shortlisted before.

Chelsea legends Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas headline the nominees from outside Old Trafford. Hazard won two Premier League titles and four Chelsea Player of the Year awards during seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, while Fabregas is second only to Giggs in all-time assists with 111, helping Arsenal and Chelsea to title triumphs.

The 15-man shortlist is completed by 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. Together, the nominees boast more than 5,000 appearances, over 1,000 goals and 44 league titles across four decades of the competition.

The Hall of Fame was first launched in 2021, with David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer, Roy Keane and Dennis Bergkamp among the inaugural inductees. Since then, Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Sergio Agüero, Rio Ferdinand, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger have also been honoured.

Supporters can vote for the 2025 inductees via the Premier League app and website until September 15. The results will then be reviewed by the 24 current Hall of Famers, who will decide the two successful players. Induction will take place at a ceremony in London on November 4, with each player receiving a medallion and a £10,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice.