Manchester United have confirmed that club legend Ryan Giggs has left Old Trafford.
The Welshman spent 29 years at the club as a player, coach and assistant manager and is the most decorated British player in history.
Giggs decided to leave Old Trafford after being told he would not become assistant boss to new manager Jose Mourinho.
Giggs confirmed the move in an official statement: "After 29 seasons at Manchester United as a player and assistant manager, I know winning is in the DNA of this club - giving youth a chance, and playing attacking and exciting football.
"It’s healthy to have high expectations, it’s right to expect to win. Manchester United expects, deserves, nothing less.
"This is why it is a huge decision for me to step away from the club that has been my life since the age of 14. It has not been a decision that I have made lightly. 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.
"I’ve been extremely fortunate in having two great managerial mentors; first in Sir Alex, who I’ve spent the majority of my life working with and learning from and who I believe will remain as football’s greatest-ever manager and in more recent times, Louis van Gaal, whose CV speaks for itself. The knowledge I have gleaned from them has been invaluable.
"I want to reiterate my thanks to the backroom staff and support teams at Manchester United I’ve worked with over the years. The results on the pitch are a reflection of the hard work off it. I would not have achieved the success I have without the dedication, sacrifice and commitment of these people in creating the best environment for the team to succeed.
"I want to congratulate José Mourinho on his appointment as manager of the world’s biggest club. There are only a handful of proven winners at the very highest level and José is unquestionably one of them. I know the fans will welcome him.
"My final thank you is to the fans. I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss walking out at Old Trafford in front of you. It’s extremely difficult to say goodbye after 29 years. I have loved every minute both as a player and assistant manager. The support you have always shown me has been phenomenal; thank you.
"It’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I’m excited about the future - I’ve had the best apprenticeship into management anyone could ever ask for."
He was disappointed the club seemed to go back on a gentleman's agreement which would see him succeed previous boss Louis van Gaal.
That left the fans' icon to consider whether he would ever be promoted to the top job at the club – especially because Mourinho's idea was to step him away from the first team and into a role as a bridge between the under 21s and senior squad.
There was never any formal offer of a job from the board, just discussions with Mourinho, and in the end Giggs decided he now needs to prove himself as a manager to show the Old Trafford board he can cope with the unique demands of the job.
During his time at the club Giggs won 13 league titles, two European Cups, four FA Cups and four League Cups.
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