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‘Giggs more likely to become Man United manager now’

Ryan Giggs, Manchester United
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Ryan Giggs has put himself in a sound position to perhaps one day become Manchester United manager, says Mark Hughes.

Giggs has enjoyed a decent two-year spell in charge of the Wales national team, winning 11 of his 22 games (D3 L8), and secured qualification for next summer’s European championships in 2019.

These exploits at international level could one day open the door for a fairytale return to Old Trafford, with former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under pressure to deliver amid a lackluster start to the season.

Giggs knows Manchester United inside out, having spent his entire playing career at the club. He even worked as a player-manager after David Moyes’ dismissal in 2014 and later an assistant to Louis van Gaal until 2016.

“I think Ryan is in a good place in his management career,” said former teammate Hughes as quoted on the BBC.

“He is on an upward trend. He is probably more likely to get an opportunity at Manchester United than he was when Van Gaal left.

“Maybe they felt his management CV wasn’t strong enough at that point, but if he goes to the European Championship and does well, then there’s no reason why he won’t be in the frame.

“He was a fantastic player throughout his career and he’s had good opportunities to learn the game on the other side of the fence.

“Obviously he was mentored by Sir Alex [Ferguson] for many years and in later years he was able to work alongside him. He then worked very closely with Van Gaal for a couple of years, which I felt was a good decision by him and the club.

“I thought that was with a view to him taking over the role when Van Gaal left. It wasn’t to be, they made the decision to go for a bigger name in terms of management – [Jose] Mourinho.

“I think that was pushed maybe a little bit because of the appointment at Manchester City of Guardiola. Maybe they felt they needed like for like, which probably affected Ryan’s chances.”

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