Assistant manager makes Manchester United exit after 29 years at the club
Ryan Giggs has confirmed his departure from Manchester United to pursue a job in football management.
Ryan Giggs is leaving #mufc to pursue his desire to be a manager.
Statement: https://t.co/vyDUFSuArC #GiggsLegend pic.twitter.com/VlmbMGWhQg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 2, 2016
The Welshman departs after 29 years as player and assistant manager following the arrival of new manager Jose Mourinho.
It’s believed that Giggs turned down the offer of a new role within the youth setup at Old Trafford with Mourinho set to bring in his friend Rui Faria as assistant manager.
In a statement on the United website, Giggs congratulated Mourinho on his appointment and recognised the Portuguese’s stature in the game.
Ryan Giggs management ambitions
The Welshman cited two of football’s most experienced and decorated managers in Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis Van Gaal as big influences in his own career.
While Giggs called Ferguson “football’s greatest-ever manager” and hailed Van Gaal’s CV there was notably no mention of David Moyes’ brief reign at Old Trafford.
It was the dismissal of Moyes, at the end of the 2013/14 season, which gave Giggs the opportunity to briefly take the reins of Old Trafford for four games.
Giggs has all the UEFA Coaching badges required to manage at Premier League level and was previously linked with the Swansea City job.
Reds legend farewell for fans
Giggs racked up a record 963 appearances with 168 goals for the club and explained why it was such a momentous decision to leave the club which he has been associated with since the age of 14.
It was clearly fitting for the greatest product of United’s youth policy to save his final thank-you for the fans.
He said: “I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss walking out at Old Trafford in front of you.
“It’s extremely difficult to say goodbye after 29 years.
“I have loved every minute both as a player and assistant manager.
“The support you have always shown me has been phenomenal.”