Ryan Giggs leaves Man Utd: Where now for Old Trafford legend?
Severance package ends 29 years at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho prepares to make Rui Faria his right-hand man
Ryan Giggs is to leave Manchester United after 29 years. The player turned assistant manager's departure will be officially confirmed within days.
Giggs is now expected to move into management after refusing to accept a demotion at Old Trafford following the arrival of new boss Jose Mourinho, who will appoint Rui Faria as his right-hand man.
The Old Trafford legend served as Man United caretaker boss after David Moyes was sacked and spent the past two seasons as assistant to Louis van Gaal.
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However, unable to reach an agreement over his position at the club, the former winger "has decided to move on", reports the BBC.
"Cardiff-born Giggs has his Uefa Pro Licence, a mandatory qualification for managing in the Premier League, and has never made any secret of his desire to move into management. Linked with Swansea last season, he felt he was ready to manage United, having served his apprenticeship under David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal," adds the broadcaster.
He is "unlikely to be short of offers from chairmen ready to give the Welshman his first permanent managerial role", it concludes.
A severance package has been agreed, says the Daily Mail, which adds: "The decision of when to release the news was discussed with Giggs and his representatives."
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All eyes will now be on his next step, continues the paper: "Giggs has been linked with both Bolton and Nottingham Forest vacancies in recent weeks and is understood to have spoken to at least one of them.
"Giggs will see out the remainder of Euro 2016 with ITV after making his punditry debut on Thursday night as Portugal beat Poland on penalties."
The drawn-out nature of Giggs's exit does not reflect well on the club, says Chris Wheeler of the Mail. "The most decorated player in the history of English football deserves a better send-off from the club he has served exclusively for nearly 30 years than to disappear quietly through the back door following months of speculation with his advisors haggling over a pay-off.
"Once a club that conducted its business swiftly and with dignity behind closed doors – not least with Ferguson’s own exit – United have allowed too much to be played out in the public eye."
Jose Mourinho sees Ryan Giggs as threat to his Man Utd reign
17 June
Ryan Giggs has not been offered the chance to work alongside his new Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford because the Portuguese fears that he could become a rival for the top job.
The United legend, who took over as caretaker manager after David Moyes was sacked and was number two to Louis van Gaal for two seasons, looks set to walk away from the club this summer after being offered a development role with the under-21 side – a major demotion from his current position.
Giggs has yet to officially respond to the club's offer, but he is expected to turn it down and strike out in management on his own elsewhere.
And new United boss Mourinho does not appear inclined to ask him to stay. "In a clear indication of his feelings Mourinho has not made any attempt to contact Giggs since he was appointed as the successor to Van Gaal on May 27," reports The Times, which goes on to explain his indifference.
"Mourinho believes that Giggs distanced himself from Louis van Gaal and David Moyes at crucial times during their ill-fated spells in charge at Old Trafford, while the Portuguese is also wary of his close relationship with Paul Scholes, who was highly critical of United's past two managers.
"Mourinho demands unswerving loyalty and complete support in everything he does from his backroom team, and is uncomfortable about welcoming someone who has been open about his ambition to manage United into his inner circle."
But could Giggs yet be persuaded to remain with United? The Manchester Evening News thinks there is a chance and says that despite Mourinho's concerns, the club "still want to tap into Giggs's United knowledge in some capacity".
The 42-year-old has been taking time to decide his future with "good reason", says the paper.
"Giggs can pick his job at United – so long as it is not new manager Jose Mourinho's assistant," it claims. "The alternative is to join the managerial rat race which last season claimed more victims through the divisions than in any other season for the last ten years.
"Choosing to stay would not be lacking ambition, it would be being realistic."
Ryan Giggs ready to quit Manchester United
02 June
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has yet to be offered a job under new manager Jose Mourinho and is set to walk away from the club where he has spent 29 years as a player and coach.
Giggs was today due back from a holiday in Dubai, "where he has spent the past week deliberating over his future at Old Trafford", reports the Daily Telegraph. He will hold talks with Mourinho before the end of the week, the paper adds.
It is widely believed that Giggs will turn down the opportunity of a lesser role at the club, having spent the past two seasons serving as Louis van Gaal's number two.
He is, however, willing to retain his current assistant manager role, says The Times, as he "feels that he can learn from Mourinho's experience" and at the same time, "has the knowhow to fulfil the role of Mourinho's assistant".
But the new manager is expected to bring with him his "trusted lieutenants" Rui Faria and Silvino Louro, plus fitness coach Carlos Lalin, with Giggs offered a more minor role as "some sort of bridge between the first team and under-21 team", says the Telegraph.
This is not a position the former player covets and could prompt him to depart. According to ESPN, Giggs "was planning to leave if offered a minor role and... his stance had not changed", meaning he is now likely to go. He is also unimpressed by the lack of communication from the club and the new manager since the end of the season.
A move into management beyond Old Trafford is looking "increasingly likely", says the Daily Mail, which notes that Giggs will become the 29th player from the Alex Ferguson era to try his luck managing a different club.
Few have been successful, notes the paper, with Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce the only two managing in the top flight.
One possible destination has already been closed off. Aston Villa has announced that their new manager will be Roberto di Matteo.
Where next for Ryan Giggs? Everton, Nottm Forest or Reading?
27 May
Jose Mourinho has declared himself delighted to be the new manager of Manchester United, but his rival for the post, Ryan Giggs, is said to be "very unhappy" at the prospect of being demoted and could leave the club after 31 years at Old Trafford.
Giggs, who took over as caretaker boss after the sacking of David Moyes, has been assistant manager to Louis van Gaal for the past two seasons but is not expected to keep his job.
Man United will offer him a new role, says The Times, "but that is thought to be a bridge between the first team and the under-21s".
"The Welshman is in Dubai and has told the club that he wants time to think about his future but, having made it clear that he wants to remain as assistant manager, it may prove difficult for him to accept a demotion."
It is clear that Giggs wants to carve out a career in the game rather than as an analyst or pundit and Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports that it may be time to move on. "He’s been assistant for two previous managers and the next step is to be a manager," he said, "He may have to go to another club to be a manager."
If he does elect to walk away where could he go?
Everton: Frank de Boer remains favourite to take over from the departed Roberto Martinez, but the odds on Giggs taking over at Goodison Park have tumbled this week reports The Guardian.
The former Manchester United striker is now 12-1 with some bookies to get the job. Much depends if new Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is prepared to hand the club over the a rookie manager after a dispiriting season that could end with several key players quitting the club.
It may be that a rebuilding exercise at a high profile club would not be the best start for Giggs.
Nottingham Forest: "If Giggs feels he is ready for football management now, then he should have no shortage of suitors," says the Daily Mirror. "Earlier this season he was linked with the Swansea job and there will be plenty of chairman further down the Football League who would relish a razzle-dazzle appointment of Giggs' nature."
One could be Fawaz al-Hasawi, the Kuwaiti owner of Nottingham Forest, who are currently managerless. Former Forest and United striker Garry Birtles believes he could be an option. "If Nottingham Forest were thinking of making a left-field managerial appointment at the City Ground this summer, then what about Ryan Giggs?" He asks in the Nottingham Post.
"I think Forest would be a good place for him to start his own managerial career. I bet he would be delighted to take over a club like the Reds too."
Reading: The Royals, who had an even worse season than Forest, have sacked manager Brian McDermott after just five months in charge. The announcement came on the same day as Mourinho's appointment at United.
According to the BBC, "ex-Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, who recently left his role as a coach at Ajax, is a contender for the job". But could be be beaten to it by hs former team-mate or could the pair form a managerial double-act?