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The Long Goodbye

Ryan Giggs to leave Manchester United after 29 years

The Welshman joined the club as a 14-year-old but Jose Mourinho’s arrival has already had its consequences.

AFTER 29 YEARS, Ryan Giggs is leaving Manchester United.

The club are expected to make an official statement soon but the 42-year-old has agreed a settlement.

The iconic ex-winger, who had served as an assistant coach under Louis van Gaal for the past two seasons, had one year left on his contract.

Since Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager, Giggs’ future was up in the air. The Portuguese has always worked alongside Rui Faria and was unwilling to retain Giggs as his number two.

But he was open to keeping the Welshman around and a specially-created role involving the United youth teams was suggested though Giggs was understandably reluctant to accept.

GiggsCollage

Keen to take on a manager’s job as soon as possible, he was unimpressed with how the club handled Louis van Gaal’s sacking and felt he had what it took to step up at Old Trafford and be given a chance as boss.

At the end of the 2013/2014 season, Giggs was installed as the club’s caretaker manager for four games.

It was thought that the solid long-term plan for United centred around Giggs cutting his teeth as an assistant before being promoted to the hot seat.

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester United v Norwich City - Old Trafford Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

But the side’s struggles under van Gaal has now made winning the priority, whatever the cost: a situation that has directly led to Mourinho’s arrival.

Giggs will be in-demand and has already been linked with Nottingham Forest but there’s an expectation that he’ll take a temporary break from the game and wait for the right opportunity.

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