Ryan Giggs Departs Manchester United: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Ryan Giggs has departed his role as Manchester United's assistant manager, ending an association with the club that lasted nearly three decades.

The news was confirmed by United on Saturday via their official website. The announcement included a statement from Giggs, which read in part:

"

After 29 seasons at Manchester United as a player and assistant manager, I know winning is in the DNA of this club—giving youth a chance, and playing attacking and exciting football. It's healthy to have high expectations, it's right to expect to win. Manchester United expects, deserves, nothing less.

This is why it is a huge decision for me to step away from the club that has been my life since the age of 14. It has not been a decision that I have made lightly. I'll take away so many special memories as well as a lifetime of experiences that will, I hope, serve me well in the future.

However, the time feels right and, although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be.

"

Club executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward also provided comments to the website about the decision:

"

Ryan's place in the history of Manchester United is assured. He has been a constant presence at the club since 1987 and, during his playing days, regularly delighted crowds; first with his dazzling wing play and later with his intelligence and ability to dictate a game.

He has tackled his coaching and management responsibilities with similar rigour and diligence. The experiences and discipline he developed at United will undoubtedly be a big help as he continues to learn his trade. He has all the attributes to be a terrific manager in the future. Everyone at the club wishes him well in his new career. He will be missed but will always be welcome at Manchester United.

"

The Welshman arrived at Old Trafford as a youngster in 1987 and went on to make 963 appearances for the team. As a player, he won 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies and four FA Cups.

Following David Moyes' sacking, Giggs became the interim player-manager for the final four games of the 2013-14 season.

He then took the position of Louis van Gaal's assistant after finishing his playing career, overseeing the Red Devils' FA Cup win over Crystal Palace as Van Gaal's No. 2 in May, but he won't be working with new United boss Jose Mourinho.

A number of fans would likely welcome the possibility of Giggs becoming the manager at Old Trafford one day.

However, to have taken over without any prior experience as a No. 1 would have made him a significant gamble given the club's stature and the pressures associated with being the man in charge, even for one who has intimate knowledge of United from top to bottom—particularly when a proven winner like Mourinho was available.

Giggs may well seek to pursue that experience, following in the footsteps of a number of former Red Devils stars who went into management, such as Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce.

The 43-year-old will most likely be hoping his managerial achievements will make him worthy of consideration for returning to Old Trafford, unlike his fellow alumni—Robson has not managed since ending a two-year spell with Thailand in 2011, while Hughes and Bruce are yet to win a major honour as managers.

When clubs in the Premier League and the Championship who've made a poor start to next season begin parting ways with managers, expect Giggs to be among the names touted and perhaps even appointed by a side willing to take a risk on him.

Indeed, he may well end up returning to Old Trafford to pit his wits against Mourinho at some point down the line.