Ryan Giggs stood over the ball in injury time, 30 yards away from the Stretford End goal. With the inside of his left boot, he curled a floating effort destined for the top left corner, but it was saved. This was the Welshman's last attempt on goal for Manchester United, the club at which he spent his whole career.
Player-manager for this final game against Hull City, Giggs substituted himself on at 70 minutes, secretly hoping that he could maintain the record of being the only player to score in every Premier League season since its inception. That didn't happen. You can't force fairy tales in football.
Two years on, and that thought remains pertinent to the 42-year-old. The day after being named Louis van Gaal's assistant manager upon the appointment of the Dutchman in May 2014, Neil Custis of The Sun said: "Louis van Gaal was yesterday crowned new Manchester United boss - but he will hand over the reins to Ryan Giggs in three years."
Advert
It was a common prediction among the football world, one which excited United fans, but in hindsight, one which now seems alarmingly naïve. Two years on from Custis' words and the 20-time Champions of England find themselves in a trough, with van Gaal heavily rumoured to be sacked in time to have a feet-up summer in the Algarve.
Jose Mourinho is the bookies' favourite to take charge, the best candidate for the job given his proven success at top European clubs. This tipped scenario is the best solution for United's current troubles.
For if Giggs was to take the helm, it would be like trying to execute a daydream. In Utopia, the class of '92 return as the coaching staff - much like they did when Giggs took interim reins from David Moyes - and United have consistent success spawned from the most iconic group of players of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Advert
Such idyllic scenarios seldom have a happy ending, however. The concept of club legends returning in a head coach position has claimed victims in recent years. A relatable case study is AC Milan - a decorated European club desperate to return to the summit.
Three of I Rossoneri's last four managers have been former players, two of which coaching Milan Primavera, the club's under-19 team, before taking the role. Clarence Seedorf (22-11-2-9) was installed in January 2014 and lasted five months; Filipo Inzaghi (39-14-13-12) was his successor and lasted twelve months; Cristian Brocchi was appointed this week, looking to curve the gradient.
Perhaps Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team of 08/09 is the model breeding hope to this trend, which saw Real Madrid appoint Zinedine Zidane in January. Pep is a fantasticcoach and completely rejuvenated that Barcelona squad, but not every returning legend has a Lionel Messi.
Giggs has secured three years' worth of dugout experience under Moyes and van Gaal, alongside 24 years playing for Ferguson, but not even the best assistant managers are cut out to be thrusted into the head coach role at huge clubs.
Advert
In the 2013 book, 'My Autobiography', Ferguson writes: "Carlos Quieroz, another one of my No. 2s, was brilliant. Just brilliant. Outstanding. An intelligent, meticulous man... Of all the [assistant managers] who worked alongside me, he was the best, no doubt about that."
After one season as assistant at United, however, Quieroz was offered the Real Madrid job. The Portuguese was sacked after one season. In layman's terms, Giggs isn't ready to be Manchester United manager.
If Mourinho arrives at Old Trafford, history suggests he would bring Rui Faria as his assistant - as he did at Porto, Internazionale and two spells with Chelsea. Such is the intensity and intimacy of working with an assistant, it would be peculiar for Mourinho to now part with Faria, after 12 years of success.
What would that mean for Giggs? Would he revert to a lesser role on the coaching staff after spending two years being groomed for the top job?
Advert
In such a scenario, Giggs should leave and manage another club: gain head coach experience, show his playing style, build a team, while the pressure is off. There would be plenty of offers for a man of his footballing stature.
It's time for Giggs to break from Woodward's strings and decide what he wants to do. Some fairy tales take a while to finish the last chapter.
WORDS BY @_AdamPowers
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Football, Manchester United, Ryan Giggs