Giggs leaves Old Trafford after 29 years of service

 

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has today ended his 29 year tenure with the club.

The news comes with the Welshman still having one year left on his contract, but new Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is likely to bring in long time friend Rui Faria has his assistant.

Unable to reach agreement over another role at the Premier League club, the 42 year old, who made a record 963 appearances for United, has decided to leave Old Trafford.

Giggs has passed all of his relevant coaching badges, and has expressed his desire to move into management following two key roles with David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, and a brief stint as caretaker manager following the formers dismissal.

Despite being linked with Swansea City last season, the Welshman was keen to see the developments at Old Trafford.

Giggs expressed his concerns with how the club announced the dismissal of van Gaal, just moments after the Red Devils won the FA Cup, and was also disappointed to be overlooked as manager in favour of former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho.

 

Ryan Giggs joined the Manchester United academy on his 14th birthday, and turned professional when he was 17, before making his first-team debut against Everton on 2 March 1991, just a few seasons after United won the FA Cup in what Sir Alex Ferguson’s first silverware at the club.

The Welshman, who also won 64 caps for his country, won thirteen League titles, two European Cups, four FA Cups, four League Cups and nine Community Shields, making him the most successful British player of all time.

Not only has he had success with his club, but the winger has won many personal accolades, including the PFA Young Player of the Year twice, the PFA Team of the Year on six occasions, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009, to name a few.

Following the arrival of Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Giggs became player-coach with the first team, before taking charge of the club’s final four games after the Scot’s dismissal.

He then became appointed as Vvan Gaal’s assistant after the Dutchman succeeded Moyes, where he became part of United’s FA Cup win; their first in twelve years.

What lay ahead for the Welshman remains uncertain, but given his experience on and off the pitch, I don’t think it will be long before this Welsh winger takes his first step into management.