Ryan Giggs should look into managing a smaller club before taking the Manchester United job, according to former England manager Glenn Hoddle.

The Welshman has been Louis van Gaal’s assistant since enjoying a short spell in a caretaker role following the sacking of David Moyes two years ago and has emerged as one of the favourites to replace the Dutchman.

Giggs has not experienced full-time management yet in his career and Hoddle insists the 42-year-old needs experience of life in the hot seat before taking the Old Trafford post.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager told the Mail: “I feel it is invaluable to start down the pyramid and learn from your mistakes. Nothing prepares you for management; not being an assistant, a coach, or TV pundit. Only doing the job teaches you how to do it.

“You are accountable for every decision at a club, everything from the time you set off to a match, where you stay before a match, what time you train, as well as the bigger issues of what tactics to play and which players to pick.

“And if you are vulnerable to being exposed early on in your career, you want it to be at a slightly lower level where it can be a little more forgiving.”

Meanwhile Jose Mourinho, another contender for the post, has hinted he would like to return to management in England after being dismissed by Chelsea in December.

“At this moment I don't know where football will take me, because in football you never know. But as a family, our home will be in London,” he told the Mail.

“No, I am not enjoying it [not working]. I can have my family, I can have my friends, I can have my quiet life, which I also like, and I can have my football.

“I can have everything together and I don't need to give up on one of them.