Will Jose Mourinho overlook Ryan Giggs’ association with the post-Fergie era?

With Jose Mourinho yet to offer Ryan Giggs a role in his future plans at Old Trafford, the Welshman’s 29-year association with his beloved club is in serious jeopardy.

The newly-appointed Portuguese manager is set to employ former Chelsea coaches Rui Faria and Silvino Louro – with Faria already pictured outside United’s AON training complex at Carrington. Former United centre-half Rio Ferdinand has also been rumoured as a proposed recruit in the ‘special one’s’ rejuvenation, to implement his defensively-organised style of football.

Ryan Giggs has, however, remained a fan-favourite at the Theatre of Dreams and there is no need to highlight his previously illustrious playing career at the club. Nonetheless, his managerial responsibilities during the Reds’ downfall in the past three seasons make for interesting debate.

Most Manchester United supporters would argue that Giggs deserves a shot at one of the most prestigious managerial positions in world football – and with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and even Mauricio Pochettino rising through the ranks to prove themselves in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Premier League respectively – there is no reason why a successful player with over 1,000 appearances for his club should have been immediately overlooked as the man to take them forward.

Unfortunately, it is looking increasingly likely that the former left-winger will be asked to step down from his position as assistant manager, with the lesser task of a junior coach role – reports by Sky Sports also suggest that he will act between Manchester United’s first team and U21’s squad.

The question remains as to whether the managerial set-back would undermine the 42-year-old’s relationship with the Manchester United players and ultimately hinder the respect that he has gained in the dressing room at Old Trafford. As a result, the junior role he is likely to be offered may fall short of his personal expectations and could cause disputes amongst the club directors.

This will most probably lead to Giggs’ departure and arguably mark the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson era at the historic club. Former club-legend and a fellow member of United’s famous 99′ European treble, Peter Schmeichel has recently expressed the view that his former teammate should leave the club in order to gain valuable first-team managerial experience – which could see him offered the top job at Old Trafford once Jose Mourinho has completed his three-year tenure.

Of course, we have already seen the Welshman at the helm of the Theatre of Dreams, following the sacking of David Moyes at the latter stages of the 2013/14 season. Reds’ supporters witnessed Giggs lead the team to two wins in four Premier League matches as interim player-manager, and many called for him to continue his work into the following regime.

However, Chief Executive Ed Woodward was quick to rectify his failed managerial appointment and opted for the experience of the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Holland coach Louis Van Gaal. Although Giggs took the assistant manager’s position in his stride at the time, it did not take long for himself and the fans at Old Trafford to recognise the fierce Dutchman’s controlling nature.

From an alternative perspective, the Welshman can be held partially responsible for what have been described as some of the most disappointing seasons in Manchester United’s modern-day history. As the assistant manager under both David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, he will have played a role in overseeing incoming players of whom many have been criticised.

Giggs’ attack-minded footballing nature failed to show for the most part of the 2015/16 campaign, in which lacklustre performances at Old Trafford led to ‘attack-attack-attack’ chants from many sections of their home support. The teams playing style was a clear reflection of their Dutch managers dominant coaching position at the club, furthered by his initial decision to employ many of his own backroom staff.

It is difficult to determine the reasoning behind Jose Mourinho’s lack of clarity on the position that club-legend Ryan Giggs will be offered as part of the former Chelsea bosses three-year plan at The Red Devils. Perhaps the 42-year-old’s failure to successively guide the club to a title challenge alongside it’s two previous managers – furthered by United’s recently fragmented attacking play – has resulted in a tough yet crucial decision in rebuilding the club’s success in the short term.

Although the prospect of Giggs’ stepping away from the club and returning for the managerial position following Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford seems to fit the back page headlines, we have witnessed the difficulty for young managers to succeed with his ‘Class of 92’ counterpart Gary Neville – and would not wish the same outcome for the club-legend.