Ryan Giggs leaves: Manchester United legend exits Old Trafford in search of management role

The 42-year-old coach will not be part of Jose Mourinho’s backroom team for the 2016/17 season.

Giggs will now try his hand at management away from Old Trafford (Getty)

Ryan Giggs' 29-year-long association with Manchester United has come to an end.

The 42-year-old, who spent the past two seasons working as Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager, will not be part of Jose Mourinho’s backroom team for the 2016/17 campaign.

Giggs had considered staying on at Old Trafford under Mourinho, who replaced Van Gaal as the club's manager in May.

The Portuguese coach, however, wished to appoint his long-standing deputy Rui Faria as United's new assistant.

Giggs has decided against remaining at the club in a lesser role and will now try his hand at management elsewhere.

"It has not been a decision that I have made lightly," Giggs said in a statement. "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."

The former Wales international had been touted as a potential successor to Van Gaal, who himself described Giggs as United's "next manager after I am gone" in April 2015.

It was Mourinho, however, was preferred by both the United hierarchy and supporters, who were overwhelmingly in favour of the Portuguese's appointment.

Giggs has been part of United’s coaching staff since David Moyes’ arrival at Old Trafford in 2013.

The 13-time Premier League winner briefly acted as a caretaker manager following Moyes’ dismissal the following year and was then promoted to the role of assistant manager after the arrival of Van Gaal.

He joined United as a trainee in 1987, following on short spell on the books at neighbours Manchester City.

Giggs made his first-team debut against Everton on 2 March 1991 and went on to appear 963 times for United over the course of the next 24 seasons, more than any other player in the club's history.