While a number of clubs have appointed former players as managers, Manchester United chose not to go down this route in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Now one of their most decorated ex-players is in contention to join their domestic competitors Swansea City.
The Welsh club are facing some difficult times after exceeding expectations these past few seasons. Swansea City have suffered three defeats in their opening five Premier League games this season, and the pressure on manager Francesco Guidolin is mounting.
The Italian manager joined Swansea in January 2016 and helped them avoid relegation last season. However, it looks like he has failed to deal with the loss of key personnel like former captain Ashley Williams and forward Andre Ayew in the summer.
Swansea are now eyeing Wales and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs as a possible replacement for Guidolin, according to the South Wales Evening Post. The report states that although there have been no definite discussions on the future of the Italian, the club are keen to avoid the long hunt for a successor that followed the sacking of his predecessor Garry Monk.
In this regard, chairman Huw Jenkins has identified Giggs as a potential candidate. However, American majority shareholders Jason Levien and Stephen Kaplan are reportedly against the idea of changing managers this early into the new season.
Ryan Giggs served as a player cum interim manager after David Moyes was sacked in 2014, and continued to serve the club in an assistant manager role under Louis van Gaal. The appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager earlier this summer spelled the end for Giggs at Manchester United.
Mourinho has brought in his long-time assistant Rui Faria, and Giggs was forced to leave the club at which he had spent the vast majority of his life. His mentor Sir Alex Ferguson stood by Mourinho’s decision, but stated that he believes Giggs has the ability to make it big as a manager elsewhere. Managing the elite club of his nation would be a huge boost for Giggs after his unceremonious departure from Old Trafford.
The Swans face a tough run of games ahead as they come up against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League in quick succession. Guidolin still has the faith of the club hierarchy, but it will be interesting to see how this story develops over the remainder of the year if the results do not improve.
