Manchester United have confirmed that club legend Ryan Giggs has ended his 29-year stay at Old Trafford.
The former Wales international, the most decorated player in English football history, leaves following the arrival of new boss Jose Mourinho.
Giggs says his decision to depart is so that he can pursue a managerial career, although he admits he has "no immediate plans to step into management" yet.
"After 29 seasons at Manchester United as a player and assistant manager, I know winning is in the DNA of this club -- giving youth a chance, and playing attacking and exciting football," he said in a statement. "It's healthy to have high expectations, it's right to expect to win. Manchester United expects, deserves, nothing less.
"This is why it is a huge decision for me to step away from the club that has been my life since the age of 14. It has not been a decision that I have made lightly. I'll take away so many special memories as well as a lifetime of experiences that will, I hope, serve me well in the future.
"However, the time feels right and, although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be."
Ryan Giggs is leaving #mufc to pursue his desire to be a manager.
Statement: https://t.co/vyDUFSuArC #GiggsLegend pic.twitter.com/VlmbMGWhQg
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 2, 2016
His United career began when he joined the club's academy at the age of 14, and he made his senior debut against Everton at the age of 17 in March 1991.
Giggs had a year left on his deal as United assistant manager, but has opted to leave with Mourinho set to appoint Rui Faria to that role.
The 42-year-old, who ended a playing career which included 13 Premier League titles in May 2014, was unable to reach agreement on a reduced role in the coaching setup at Old Trafford.
Giggs -- who made 963 appearances for United -- took charge as caretaker manager for four games following the sacking of David Moyes in April 2014.
He was linked with a move to Swansea last season -- but his campaign instead ended with Louis van Gaal's United winning the FA Cup.
But Dutchman Van Gaal was dismissed soon afterwards, and reports suggested Giggs was frustrated not to have been considered before Mourinho's appointment was revealed in May.
Confirmation that Giggs would go came after a source told ESPN FC on June 1 that he had rejected a different role on Mourinho's coaching staff.
He had been on holiday in Dubai considering his future and returned to England on Thursday to meet Mourinho.
The Daily Telegraph and The Times reported that United had offered the 42-year-old a role linking the first team and under-21s, but that he had instead decided it was time to forge a career as a manager in his own right.
But Steve Round, United assistant boss under Moyes, said he believed Giggs could still return as United boss one day.
Round, who left when Moyes was sacked in April 2014, believes Giggs needed to leave to gain managerial experience elsewhere.
"It could be detrimental in the short term. But, from Ryan's perspective, he obviously wasn't going to get the Manchester United job," Round told Sky Sports.
"They have gone for a world-class coach in Jose Mourinho, who has been there, experienced it and done it. Ryan Giggs hadn't got that experience of management.
"It's now his opportunity to step out of Manchester United and go and be a manager.
"If he can be a success, and I really hope he can, then who's to say that, in five, six, seven, eight years, he can't come back to Manchester United as an experienced manager who can take them forward post-Jose?"
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