Manchester United legend reveals “apprenticeship” hopes

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has revealed his management ambitions after retirement and says he wants to be a coach at Old Trafford.

Giggs was talking to former teammate Gary Neville in the Daily Mail when he admitted to his ideal plans once he decides to hang up his boots.

The 39-year-old has completed all his coaching badges and has only to attain his UEFA Pro Licence before being permitted to manage a top flight club.

The Old Trafford favourite is not planning to move into the hot seat straight away, however, as he feels starting lower down the chain would be of greater benefit to his development.

“That’s why I’m doing the badges, to prepare myself as best I can,” he sais in response to Neville asking him if he was going into coaching.

“As a footballer, you don’t look too far ahead. So I’m going to have to change my mind-set when I finish.

“I’ll have to say to myself: ‘Where do you want to be in two or three years’ time?’ You have ideal scenarios, where you might be going on the coaching staff at United to learn how everything works at a football club and then take a manager’s job.”

Giggs referred to starting out as a coach as his “apprenticeship” and felt it the most sensible approach for any budding new manager.

He did not rule out taking on a major role once he finishes playing for Manchester United – if he was offered the job.

“We’ve talked about it on the pro licence course, that ideally you want to get that bit of experience, two or three years on the pitch coaching, organising,” he added.

“That’s your apprenticeship. Now that might not happen. I might finish and get offered a decent manager’s job. 

“You don’t know until it’s offered and see what your alternatives are. Ideally, you would want your apprenticeship, like you do as a footballer before you get into the first team. “

Although Giggs is doing his badges, management and coaching will have to stay on hold for another season, as Manchester United revealed last week that he will be staying on at Old Trafford for another season after agreeing an extension to his current deal.