Ryan Giggs will not become permanent Manchester United manager despite taking over from the sacked David Moyes until the end of the season.
The Welshman will take charge for the final four matches of the season after Moyes was informed in a face-to-face meeting by Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, on Tuesday morning that he would be relieved of his duties. It is expected that Giggs will be assisted by Nicky Butt, the youth team coach, with Phil Neville and Chris Woods staying on from Moyes's coaching staff, meaning that Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden will depart along with the Scot.
Giggs, as the most decorated player in United’s history, will command the instant respect of the squad and after 23 years at the club has a full understanding of its ethos. Yet the executive are intent on appointing a candidate with vast experience of elite management with Louis van Gaal, Carlo Ancelotti and Jürgen Klopp among the current favourites.
Moyes ultimately lost his job due to doubts among the board that he could draw the best performances from the elite players at his disposal. The 2-0 Champions League loss at Olympiakos on February 25th was the moment when serious reservations arose about Moyes’s abilities, with the disjointed and aimless manner of his side’s performances the chief concern then, and subsequently.
As displays continued in this disappointing style, the final straw proved to be Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Everton, after which the executive began seriously discussing whether to sack Moyes, talks that continued into Monday. Once it was decided Moyes should depart the club were keen he should be informed straightaway.
The United hierarchy are confident that Moyes’s departure will not affect their ability to buy elite players in the coming transfer market, following the debacle of last summer’s window. While many targets have been identified along with their respective availability, there is a recognition that the new manager would need to be consulted.
Yet with regard to the timeframe of Moyes’s successor due process will be followed. Despite Van Gaal being the Holland head coach until his contract expires following the World Cup, this would not be a deal breaker in his potential recruitment.
However it is also not an ideal position, and there is a realisation at the club that if a new permanent manager can be appointed in the near future thus would help the sizeable process of rebuilding the squad over the summer. After Moyes was informed by Woodward he would be sacked, the club subsequently issued a statement. “Manchester United has announced that David Moyes has left the club. The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role,” it said.
Moyes then met with the players before training and a spoke in a dignified manner to them, with the occasion described as “sombre” and “sad” by some of those present.
Guardian Service
