Jose Mourinho Will Find Role For Ryan Giggs At Manchester United

 

Jose Mourinho is prepared to find a place for Ryan Giggs on his Manchester United coaching staff, but not in the role of assistant manager, according to sources.  Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes will arrive in England on Tuesday for talks with United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at an undisclosed central London location.

Whilst an agreement is expected to be reached quickly due to Mourinho's strong desire to become United manager, and the fact initial talks took place earlier in the year, one detail still to be concluded is the length of his contract. Mourinho will take his trusted deputy Rui Faria to Old Trafford as assistant manager though, meaning an effective demotion for Giggs if he agrees to stay at the club.

However, Mourinho holds the former winger's achievements at United in high regard and is keen to find a role for him to extend his 29-year association with the Red Devils. Giggs, United's most decorated player, previously worked under David Moyes as player-coach, before taking charge of the final four games of the 2013-14 season in the role of interim manager when Moyes was sacked. He was then named assistant manager when Louis van Gaal took charge the following summer. Giggs has been seen by some influential figures at the club as a future United manager, although this is the second time he has been overlooked for the top job.

Woodward briefed Giggs on the latest developments at the club's Carrington training ground on Monday, before the confirmation of Van Gaal's sacking was made public later in the day.  It is expected Giggs will speak with Mourinho in person before making a decision on his future. However, that conversation will not take place before Mourinho's own contract with the club is signed.

Mourinho has worked with Faria since 2001, when the former was appointed manager of Uniao de Leiria, and hired Faria as fitness coach and assistant manager. They have been inseparable since, with Faria following Mourinho to Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, before returning to Chelsea for their second spell. The pair met at Mourino's London home on Monday afternoon, spending around 90 minutes discussing their next move.