Ryan Giggs is set to leave his role at Manchester United as he aims to further his managerial ambitions.
Giggs, who was assistant manager under Louis van Gaal, joins his former manager, first-team coach Albert Stuivenberg, goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek and analyst Max Reckers out the door at Carrington, therefore ending the Welshman’s 29-year association with United, ranging from his time as a player to his current role.
It is understood that United manager José Mourinho wanted Giggs to stay on his coaching staff in a reduced role, with Mourinho’s trusted lieutenant Rui Faria becoming assistant manager, but according to Sky Sports, the 42-year-old wants to leave the club and branch out into management.
And with Under-21 manager Warren Joyce failing to secure a role as manager of Championship side Blackburn Rovers today, there does not seem to be an open position for the Welshman at the club.
Giggs had been tipped as the favourite to succeed Van Gaal when the Dutchman was supposedly to end his reign as United manager in 2017, but a poor season by United on the pitch has accelerated matters off it and perhaps the Welshman has been caught out by his association with Van Gaal as a staff member.
United hoped that Giggs would stay on and continue learning his trade under Mourinho, but it looks as if the 42-year-old will be branching out and making his first move away from Manchester since he was a teenager.
Sky Sports also understands that Giggs’ frustration with being overlooked for the manager’s job with Mourinho is another reason for his exit and he’d rather leave than take a lesser role. It would be a shame if he were to exit this way, but perhaps it’s the right move for both parties.
