Ryan Giggs Reportedly to Leave Manchester United If Jose Mourinho Is Appointed

Manchester United will reportedly lose club icon Ryan Giggs if they appoint Jose Mourinho as manager this summer. 

Speculation has swirled throughout the year about the Portuguese potentially taking over from Louis van Gaal at the end of the campaign. According to Steve Bates in the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror), getting him on board will prompt the end of Giggs’ long association with the Old Trafford outfit.

“Giggs has been urged by his Class of '92 pals to quit Old Trafford this summer and make his way in management at a new club,” added Bates. “… Giggs is agonising about whether to make the break now with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward unwilling to guarantee him the job once Van Gaal eventually goes.”

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Bates added that one of the main concerns for Giggs is leaving United and failing in his next job, thus eradicating any shot he may have of taking the post at Old Trafford in the future.

Giggs is a figure long associated with United, having spent his entire playing career with the club before joining the coaching staff. The club’s Twitter feed remembered his final appearance recently, noting he made a staggering 963 appearances for the team:

Van Gaal could still feasibly steer United to the UEFA Champions League and an FA Cup win this season, but Mourinho’s spectre has been looming over Old Trafford throughout the campaign.

The Dutchman has earned favour this term due to his willingness to give young players a run in the side, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Timothy Fosu-Mensah all excelling under his guidance. But there were long spells earlier in the season when the Red Devils fans had to sit through some sterile performances.

Indeed, football writer Liam Canning is actually concerned about what a top-four finish and silverware might mean for the club in the long term:

Mourinho, after all, is available, is proven in English football and has shown time after time, despite the evident baggage he brings, that he’s a winner.

A club like United seems to marry up well with the qualities of the Portuguese. Players such as George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo—all geniuses with the ball who had a little bit of an ego—have been adored at Old Trafford. Mourinho is a character who fits into the bracket; he’s very good and he knows it.

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Granted, the coach had a torrid time at Chelsea this season. But ESPN’s Alex Shaw thinks there was more going on at Stamford Bridge than met the eye:

Losing Giggs would obviously be a major blow to United, as he’s a figure synonymous with the club. But all those associated with the Old Trafford club need to embrace a new ethos, the Welshman included.

The 42-year-old will have ambitions of his own, including managing the football club where he made his name. Working alongside someone like Mourinho could be wonderful for his development, although experience as the top man with another team could do the same. Either way, it’s clear there are some huge decisions to be made at United this summer.