Welsh wizard: Giggs will be offered a coaching role
at United
Sir Alex Fegruson will ask Paul Scholes, Ryan
Giggs and Gary Neville to stay at
Manchester
United as coaches once their playing
days are over.
All three have signed one-year deals that take them to the end
of next season but Ferguson is convinced the trio can inspire the
next generation of local talent.
'They are the living proof for young players that the United
system allows players to succeed,' said Ferguson. 'When they stop
playing, they will stay. All three are taking their coaching
diplomas. I don't think the club will pass up that much
experience.'
Ferguson is already planning for a future without Rio Ferdinand
and Wes Brown, which is why he spent £10million on 20-year-old
Chris Smalling from Fulham. His recruitment policy looks to
the long term.
'I am always thinking one or two seasons ahead,' he said. 'I
anticipate over time the departures of the souls of the club, and
the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown, who are over 30. Nemanja
Vidic has had some physical problems.
'Chris Smalling has huge potential as a centre-half, and he's
only 20. In two or three years' time he'll be at the top. As for
Mame Biram Diouf, you have to watch hundreds of strikers before you
find one who can win matches. When you find him, you sign him.'
In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, Ferguson
earmarked Patrice Evra, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher as team
leaders of the future.
'Evra is a powerful force as a leader of the dressing room,' he
said. He also shrugged off concerns about United's £700m debt,
insisting the sporting health of the club was in good shape.
'Protesting has become a reflex action these days,' he
said. 'There are fans protesting against (club owners) the Glazers,
which doesn't bother me because it doesn't interfere with the team.
The fans love their club here and they are worried. I don't share
their worry. I have a talented squad, a superb training complex, a
magnificent stadium. We're fighting for the biggest titles every
season. So it's easy for me to keep my distance from all these
issues.'
Ferguson, 68, also put talk of retirement firmly on the
backburner, and revealed that he passed his most recent six-monthly
health check with flying colours. 'Everything's fine,' he
added.