GIGGS: I WANT TO BE A MANAGER AGAIN

RYAN GIGGS has declared that he wants to return to football management, nearly two years after stepping away from the Wales national job over charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend. Giggs, 50, who has always protested his innocence, told an event in Chester that he missed the job and hankered to return to it. He said: ‘I loved managing Wales, obviously. I do miss it so hopefully (I can manage again).’

No club has come in for Giggs since the Crown Prosecution Service announced last July that it was withdrawing plans to re-try him on charges of controlling or coercive behaviour and assault. The jury failed to reach a conclusion in the first trial, which lasted four weeks. Wales may be looking for a new manager if Rob Page, whose temporary replacement of Giggs became permanent in 2022, fails to take the nation to Euro 2024. A play-off semi-final against Finland and a possible final against Poland or Estonia lie ahead next month.

But the Welsh FA may be reluctant to make what would be a controversial appointment, given the evidence which emerged at the trial.

Giggs, a 13-time Premier League winner, has already ruled out managing Salford City, the club he co-owns with former Manchester United team-mates, despite watching them regularly. Giggs told a paying audience at Chester’s Crowne Plaza Hotel that his four games as interim manager of United, after David Moyes’ dismissal in 2014, made him realise he was cut out for the role. United won two of the games, drew one and lost one. ‘It was the one I lost which made me want to manage,’ said Giggs. ‘I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it but I thought, “If you don’t perform, you’re out of the team”. It was then I knew that I definitely wanted to be a manager.’

Giggs said United could win the Premier League as soon as next season. ‘I can see them winning the league next year, seriously,’ he said. ‘Let’s see what happens with City. Jurgen Klopp moves. Arsenal haven’t got much money to spend. Stranger things have happened.’