In a move that might have shocked many, but that will undoubtedly pleased many Reds, David Moyes has named Ryan Giggs as player/coach, while former United man Phil Neville has returned to Old Trafford and will also be part of Moyes’ coaching staff.
Giggsy, who has been taking his coaching badges and is due to obtain the Uefa Pro Licence next summer, will now combine coaching duties with playing, as the club have confirmed that he’s been appointed with immediate effect in his new role.
“It’s no secret that I have been taking my qualifications and I see this as the first step in my future career,” Giggsy said. “I’m really looking forward to working alongside David and the team.”
Moyes was delighted to at Giggs’ decision to join the coaching staff: “I’m delighted that Ryan has accepted the chance to become player coach. His success and ability to adapt his game over a number of years gives him an unrivalled perspective on the modern game. His career is an example to any aspiring young player and I’m sure that both he and the players will benefit from his new role.”
Meanwhile, Phil Neville is also to join to the coaching staff and, although his role hasn’t been specified as yet, new Everton manager Roberto Martinez was reportedly willing to have Phil as part of his coaching staff on Merseyside.
Moyes’ decision to appoint Giggs and Neville as coaches will go a long way in allaying the fears of those who feared that new United manager would seek a clean break from the past, after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson’s staff with some of this trusted lieutenants.
Furthermore, Giggs is a revered and respected figure in the United dressing room, meaning that his transition from player to full-time coach – which, as it stands, will presumably happen at the end of next season – is likely to be a relatively smooth process.
Both, Giggsy and Phil Neville know the club inside out and their professional, no-nonsense, attitude to the game as well as a modern fitness approach – both players undergo yoga session once a day – have prolonged their careers, making them the perfect on-pitch role models for the younger heads in the squad.
It’s too early to say, but one of Moyes’ first decision as United manager could well prove to be a masterstroke.
Here’s too many more in the future.
