Former Manchester United player-turned coach Ryan Giggs could end his 29-year-old love-affair with the Red Devils following the sacking of Louis van Gaal on Monday.
The 20 times English champions confirmed the departure of the Dutch coach, whose brief tenure was hugely overshadowed by criticism of the team’s style of play and conservative tactical decisions.
Manchester United were knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League, were eliminated by arch rivals Liverpool in the Europa League and also failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, leaving van Gaal’s position at Man United untenable.
The former Netherlands boss has left the club along with his Dutch coaches with immediate effect – winning the FA Cup in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in their final game in association with Man United – but the future of club legend Ryan Giggs still remains in doubt.
In his official statement, Louis van Gaal stated that he is ‘very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three-year plan’ but will receive a £400,000 bonus for winning the FA Cup along with a £5 million payoff for the sack.
Former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is all set to take charge of the Old Trafford club with his agent Jorge Mendes reportedly flying in to London on Tuesday to meet Man United chief executive Ed Woodward to wrap up the deal for the appointment of the Portuguese.
The Special One can be announced as van Gaal’s successor as soon as Wednesday reportedly on a three-year deal worth £36 million.
Mourinho is expected to take his trusted delegate Rui Faria as his assistant coach at Man United. The pair have been inseparable since they first worked together at Uniao de Leiria in 2001.
However, the Portuguese coach is reportedly keen to offer a role to Ryan Giggs to join his backroom staff at Old Trafford.
Giggs, who remains the most decorated player in club’s history winning 34 trophies with the Red Devils, was named as player coach under David Moyes before calling in as the interim-manager for the final four league games of the 2013/14 season following the sacking of the Scotsman.
After hanging up his boots and ending a glittering playing career that lasted 24 years, Giggs was named as a full-time assistant coach to Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2014.
Reports now have emerged that the Welshman has been offered a role on Mourinho’s coaching staff.
However, it remains unclear whether the former winger will accept the incoming Man United boss’ offer or will he end his 29-year association with the club after being overlooked for his dream job for the second time in three years.
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