Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that he expects Ryan Giggs to succeed him when he steps down as Old Trafford chief.
Giggs has been assistant to Van Gaal since the 63-year-old Dutchman took over as United boss last summer and while the Welshman has never managed any club on a full-time basis, it seems as if a succession plan has been put into place by the club's hierarchy.
Giggs was United's caretaker manager for the final games of last season following the sacking of David Moyes, yet it appears that Van Gaal wants his assistant to step into his shoes when the time is right.
"I expect that he [Giggs] will be the next manager after I am gone," Van Gaal said. "Now I have the responsibility. He has tasks that he has to perform like the players. What he has to do, for me, he does it very well."
Off the record remarks from Van Gaal soon after his arrival in Manchester suggested he viewed Giggs as his probable successor, this is a very public confirmation that the club's all-time appearance record-holder will be offered the chance to take over as United manager in the coming years.
Van Gaal has confirmed that the United post will be the last of his lengthy coaching career, with 41-year-old Giggs serving an apprenticeship under the guidance of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss. Giggs has said all along he has ambitions to eventually become United's next manager.
It remains to be seen how long Van Gaal will want to continue in the United job, but he has previously hinted that he intended to retire from the game when his current contract expired at the end of the 2016-17 season.
However, comments last month suggested he could be tempted to extend his stint as United boss, even though he has made a vow to his wife to quit in three years time.
"I have promised my wife but you never know. I can extend my contract," Van Gaal said. "What I have said before, you always have to be in the situation and then you can decide.
"Now I am in the situation where I have signed for three years because in three years' time you can build up something. They [the club] would agree with that.
"I don't know how I shall react in the circumstances when Manchester United ask me extend, and if I shall do that. But this is my last club."