Ryan Giggs is Manchester United through and through (and through and through and through and…), perhaps more so than any other man, woman or child walking this planet.
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Yet, the hierarchy at Man United thought it wise to (reportedly) offer the iconic Welshman a reduced role under new Man United manager Jose Mourinho — or, at the very least, allow Mourinho to do so?
Having spent the last 29 years of his life at the club (963 appearances) — from youth academy beginning in 1985(!!!), to first-team player in 1990, to first-team player-manager (2013-14) and eventually assistant manager from the 2014-15 season onward — Giggs has had a hand in the only club he’s ever known winning 24 major trophies over the last three decades, so you’ll have to excuse the 42-year-old if he feels somewhat disrespected over the whole ordeal.
Especially when he surely held hopes of landing the club’s top job himself.
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With that, Giggs is set to walk away from Old Trafford this summer, presumably in hopes of landing a first-team managerial job elsewhere. Just five months ago, Giggs was linked to the then-vacant manager’s post at Swansea City, in his native Wales, but the club ultimately opted to hire the more experienced Francesco Guidolin instead.
Mourinho is expected to name 40-year-old Rui Faria, who has accompanied his compatriot at each of his last six career stops (Uniao Leiria, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea again), as his no. 2 once again.