Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs on Saturday bowed out of Old Trafford after 29 years with a reminder to Jose Mourinho that the club has a tradition of giving youth a chance and playing attacking football.
In a fascinating departure statement from one of the most important figures in the club's history, Giggs backed Mourinho to succeed at United.
He also thanked Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis van Gaal for their influence on his career - but failed to mention David Moyes.
Ryan Giggs (right, pictured with Jose Mourinho) has ended his 29-year association with Manchester United
Manchester United boss Mourinho offered Giggs a reduced role and the Welshman rejected it
Giggs (left, pictured with Gary Neville) won 13 Premier League medals during his playing days at United
As United welcome £26million Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund and prepare an astonishing £100m bid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba; Giggs, 42, confirmed that the next stage of his career was to become a manager.
Giggs played a record 963 times for United between 1991 and 2014, winning 35 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice. He joined the club as a 14-year-old and was present throughout Ferguson's glory years.
Giggs said: '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. 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.'
Manchester United paid tribute to Giggs by referencing one of his famous Old Trafford chants
Giggs during his first year in United's senior side and his most memorable celebration of his career
Giggs lifts the prestigious Champions League trophy in 2008 (left) and poses with the Premier League
Giggs is believed to have been unhappy with the direction in which United went after Ferguson's retirement in 2013. He played for a season under Moyes, taking over as interim manager for the final games after the Scot was sacked, before hanging up his boots. He then worked as Van Gaal's assistant for the past two seasons. Rui Faria is expected to replace him as Mourinho's No 2.
Without mentioning Moyes, Giggs added: 'I've been extremely fortunate in having two great managerial mentors; first in Sir Alex, who I've spent the majority of my life working with and learning from and who I believe will remain as football's greatest ever manager, and in more recent times, Louis van Gaal, whose c.v. speaks for itself. The knowledge I have gleaned from them has been invaluable.
'I want to reiterate my thanks to the backroom staff and support teams at Manchester United I've worked with over the years. The results on the pitch are a reflection of the hard work off it. I would not have achieved the success I have without the dedication, sacrifice and commitment of these people in creating the best environment for the team to succeed.'
Giggs was part of David Moyes' coaching staff during the Scotsman's troubled reign at Old Trafford
Though Mourinho has a reputation for prioritising defence and was criticised at Chelsea for not giving young players a chance, Giggs thinks he will succeed at Old Trafford - provided he takes heed of the club's traditions.
'I want to congratulate Jose Mourinho on his appointment as manager of the world's biggest club,' he said.
'There are only a handful of proven winners at the very highest level and Jose is unquestionably one of them. I know the fans will welcome him. My final thank you is to the fans. I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss walking out at Old Trafford in front of you. I have loved every minute both as a player and assistant manager. The support you have always shown me has been phenomenal. Thank you.
'It's time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I'm excited about the future - I've had the best apprenticeship into management anyone could ever ask for.'
Mourinho will link back up with his assistant Rui Faria (left), a move that has paved the way for Giggs to depart
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: 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. He will be missed but will always be welcome at Manchester United.'
Giggs was compared to George Best when he burst into the United first-team at 17. Under Ferguson's strict guidance - legend has it that the manager turned up at a house party to turf out Giggs and team-mate Lee Sharpe and send them to bed - he developed into one of the club's senior players and was part of the side that won the Treble in 1999. He ended up with 168 goals in 963 games.
RYAN GIGGS' MANCHESTER UNITED EXIT IS SAD... HE DESERVES BETTER
Ryan Giggs' rather untidy exit from Old Trafford is sad but perhaps not surprising given the direction Manchester United have taken in recent years.
The most decorated player in the history of English football deserves a better send-off from the club he has served exclusively for nearly 30 years than to disappear quietly through the back door following months of speculation with his advisors haggling over a pay-off.
No-one is suggesting that Giggs has a divine right to become United manager, and you could understand why new manager Jose Mourinho does not want a potential rival sat alongside him in the dugout.
United have been on the decline since Sir Alex Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill stepped down
But there are ways and means of handling a situation like this and, once again, United appear to have got it wrong.
Unfortunately, the club's decline off the pitch since the departures of manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill in 2013 have been matched by an equally sharp fall in standards off it.
Once a club that conducted its business swiftly and with dignity behind closed doors – not least with Ferguson's own exit – United have allowed too much to be played out in the public eye.
Speculation over Louis van Gaal's future dragged on for too long before he was unceremoniously dumped a day after lifting the FA Cup, having learned the news from website reports that emerged minutes after the final whistle.
Louis van Gaal (right) named Giggs as one of his assistants but the Dutchman was sacked in May
It was a similar story with David Moyes who discovered that he was being fired through the media despite repeated assurances from the board that he had a long-term contract and retained their support.
Now Giggs, who worked under both men at the end of a glittering playing career, is leaving with little fanfare after turning down what amounted to a demotion.
There is no questioning the job Ed Woodward has done to enhance United's commercial brand around the world. He and his executive team are highly valued by the Glazer family. But it has been a steep learning curve.
United have appointed three managers in as many years, and their transfer policy has descended into a scattergun approach too often ending in failure or paying over the odds for targets.
Many fans remain unconvinced by the decision to turn to Mourinho, regardless of the success he may bring. They yearn for the old days more than ever – as one of United's favourite sons heads for the exit.
By boney jimmy
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