Now Ryan says he may leave Old Trafford to become a boss
RYAN GIGGS will retire as a player if he is not offered a new deal at Manchester United this summer – but does not rule out leaving Old Trafford to manage elsewhere.
The 40-year-old is adamant he will not be tempted to stage a David Beckham-style last hurrah at another club, saying: ‘Playing wise, it’s United or nothing for me.’
Giggs, a one-club man who joined United at 13, is waiting to see what his future role entails at Old Trafford having agreed to take charge of the team’s final four games of the season.
With United expected to make Louis van Gaal their next permanent boss, Giggs does not know if he is part of the Dutchman’s plans as player or a coach.
If he is dumped as a player, Giggs will retire. But a coaching role would be considered carefully with Giggs keeping the option of being a No 1 somewhere else rather than being a junior member of Van Gaal’s staff.
‘It’s my decision and obviously whoever comes in, if they want me. They are the two decisions that have to be made,’ said Giggs.
‘It’s a conversation to have with whoever comes in.
‘I wouldn’t consider going somewhere else as a player, but I couldn’t say either yes or no to that on the coaching side.
‘I am still a young man in relative terms in management. I could have 20 to 25 years in the game and it might not all be spent at United.
‘I’ve been extremely
lucky that I’ve only worked at United. It would be strange to go anywhere else, but I’ve done my best for United and if I went elsewhere I would do exactly the same.’
United have ruled out appointing Giggs as their next manager despite a groundswell of support among fans and players. They would like Giggs and his Class of 92 friends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to be kept on at the club, but will leave that decision to Van Gaal.
The Dutchman is believed to favour offering Giggs a role, but it would not be as his main assistant — that job will go to Patrick Kluivert.