For some time now, Ryan Giggs has been the designated Manchester United manager-in-waiting, but he will now be forced to take a major decision regarding his coaching career if Jose Mourinho ends up taking over the managerial position at Old Trafford.
Ryan Giggs is one of the most decorated players in the history of Manchester United. When he retired at the end of the 2014 season, after 24 years at the club, he chose to stay at Old Trafford by joining the coaching staff. He served as the interim manager/player that season after David Moyes was sacked before the end of the Red Devils’ Premier League campaign.
Louis van Gaal took over for the 2014-15 season, and it was widely reported that Ryan Giggs would take over from the Dutchman after serving as an assistant manager under him for three years. However, things have not gone according to plan for Manchester United. Van Gaal has failed to achieve anything of note in the past two seasons. He brought the club back into the Champions League last season only to crash out in the group stage and it now looks very unlikely that United can qualify for the Champions League this year.
The situation has become even more complicated with the availability of Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, who parted ways with Chelsea last year. Mourinho is believed to be very interested in the Manchester United job, and has even reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with the club.
With there being a big possibility that Jose Mourinho could replace Louis van Gaal in the summer, Giggs will be left in the lurch. The Welshman is now considering leaving the club if Mourinho is eventually appointed as Manchester United manager, according to the Mirror.
Giggs former teammates and class of 92′ graduates Phil and Gary Neville have both tested the waters of management at Valencia and are reportedly urging the Welshman to try his hand at managing a smaller club if Jose Mourinho arrives at Old Trafford.
Three managerial possibilities for Giggs
Although Ryan Giggs does not have any top level managing experience, he has gathered a lot of knowledge in his assisting role at Old Trafford in the past three years. His leadership abilities and legacy as a player are impressive enough for a top flight club to seriously consider Giggs as manager.
The Welshman may want to stay exclusively at Manchester United but should he decide to make a move elsewhere, here are three clubs which could prove to be a perfect match for Giggs.
1. Everton
The club that gifted David Moyes to Manchester United could be ready to take a leap of faith on Ryan Giggs. The Toffees are still reeling from the loss of Moyes, and though Roberto Martinez enjoyed a stellar debut season, these past two campaigns have been largely disappointing for the ambitious Merseyside club.
After finishing in the bottom half of the table last year, things have not improved for Everton as they are now in 12th position. With players like Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley, Everton have the capability of challenging the top five and perhaps Ryan Giggs could be the one to take them there.
2. Swansea City
The Welsh connection may not mean much to Ryan Giggs in this particular case, as he is a Manchester United product through and through, and would probably relate more to the city of Manchester than his native Wales. However, Swansea City could be a good fit for Giggs as the lower pressure at a mid-level club would help him make a first impression as a manager.
Swansea have been reeling from the loss of Brendan Rodgers, who brought them into the top flight. The mid-season sacking of Garry Monk left the club unstable before the recent appointment of Francecsco Guidolin. Though the Italian has led the Swans to a more comfortable position on the table, the Welsh club would definitely consider their national hero for the job should he be interested.
3. AC Milan
It is difficult to imagine Ryan Giggs leaving the Premier League for foreign shores, but he would definitely be tempted if a historic top level club asked for his services. Most of the big clubs prefer employing tried and tested managers or one of their own, and so the only non-Premier League club right now who could possibly consider Giggs for the job are beleaguered Serie A giants AC Milan.
I Rossoneri recently parted ways with Sinisa Mihajlovic, leaving the managerial position wide open. Giggs could definitely make a huge impact if he could go to Italy and help the fortunes of a historic club that has fallen upon hard times. There would definitely be barriers, but Giggs couldn’t possibly do worse than Gary Neville at Valencia.
