Fergie: Giggs won’t be ready to step into my shoes

Alex Ferguson has said that Ryan Giggs is not the man to replace him as Manchester United coach when he eventually steps down at Old Trafford.

Giggs, who has spent six years getting his coaching badges, is set to make his 1000th professional appearance this afternoon, but Ferguson has said United need an experienced man to step into his shoes when he bows out.

Ferguson, pictured, also admitted that United passed up the opportunity to sign Robin van Persie when he was at Feyenoord nearly 11 years ago but is convinced the Dutchman, who is inspiring United to their 20th league title this season, regrets not leaving Arsenal sooner in his career. Ferguson also wants United to follow Bayern Munich’s model of employing former players in senior positions to work throughout the club, and claimed that changing managers on a regular basis, as has happened at Chelsea under Roman Abramovich, is damaging to the team and gives players too much power in the dressing-room.