Legends at Old Trafford don’t come much bigger than Ryan Giggs, and it appears he wants to add to this status when he finally hangs up his boots. In an interview with the News of the World the Welshman stated;
“My aim would be to manage either Manchester United or Wales.”
In a glittering twenty year career at Manchester United, Ryan Giggs has become one of the most respected and well liked players in England. It is not surprising to hear he wants to become a manager when he ends his playing days, Giggs has always come across as a thoughtful and intelligent man and seems like an individual who would be well suited to a career in management.
A host of footballers who played under Sir Alex Ferguson have gone on to successful management careers, among them Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and Roy Keane. There cannot be a much better person to learn from than the Scot, and Giggs would undoubtedly have taken on-board some of the managing techniques that have brought Ferguson such success in the last two decades. If he can supplement what he has learnt from his mentor within his own management style no-one would bet against Ryan Giggs becoming a successful manager in the future.
It is unlikely that Giggs will be parachuted into the top job at Old Trafford as soon as he begins his management career. Like others he will have to ply his trade at other clubs before he has the kudos as a manager to take on the role. Giggs though, also expressed an interest in managing the Wales national side and this might be a more immediate goal for him. This would see him follow in the footsteps of former colleague Mark Hughes, who’s first job in football management was at the helm of Wales. The Welsh supporters would undoubtedly give Giggs a rapturous welcome should he be given the job, and he would be an inspirational figure for the players to look up to and learn from. If he was a success in this position he could perhaps gain experience of management in club football and then who knows, he could land his dream job as manager of Manchester United.
One thing is for sure, if Ryan Giggs did ever become manager at Old Trafford, the fans would be delighted to see such a club hero leading them. The pressure of leading a club like Man Utd is intense, but Giggs would have the backing of the fans, over twenty years of experience at the club and the calm demeanour required to cope with such expectation. If he approached anything like the success he has as a player at Manchester United, he would enhance his already legendary status, and not many would begrudge him it. He will however, have to prove himself before he can take the job, and it will certainly be interesting to see how his potential managing career pans out.
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