• Premier League

United want Giggs to stay on

ESPN staff
April 30, 2014
Ryan Giggs guided United to a 4-0 win against Norwich in his first game in charge © Getty Images
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Manchester United will inform their next manager that there is a strong preference for some continuity on the coaching team, with the hope that Ryan Giggs can be a member of the new-look backroom staff.

Louis van Gaal is the hot favourite to replace the sacked David Moyes at Old Trafford, with the possibility that Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid receding after he guided the Spanish club into the Champions League final.

Why United must not appoint Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs watches his side from the touchline © PA Photos
  • Ryan Giggs may be a Manchester United legend who has the club's fans and players on his side but he needs to serve his apprenticeship in management.
  • Ian Darke says the caretaker manager who has put a smile back on the faces of those around Old Trafford is not in the same managerial league as Louis van Gaal or Carlo Ancelotti.
  • Continue reading here

But while the Dutchman is reportedly keen to bring in up to five of his compatriots, a source told ESPN that the United board want to see one with closer connections to the club retained.

Giggs, 40, began his spell as interim manager with a 4-0 win over Norwich on Saturday, and was a player-coach during Moyes' nine-month reign.

His coaching staff includes three former United players in Phil Neville, who followed Moyes from Everton last summer, plus Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

Giggs is not being considered as Moyes' replacement, due to his lack of experience, but United believe he has many of the qualities required to manage the club in the future and it is thought his departure would disappoint the hierarchy at Old Trafford.

The former Ajax and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, one of Van Gaal's assistants with Holland, has said he would happily take on the same duties for United.

Van Gaal is said to want to bring in his other assistant Danny Blind, plus goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, physiotherapist Jos van Dijk and analyst Max Reekers.

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