Ryan Giggs ‘misses’ management and eyes return to dugout two years after quitting Wales over assault charges
RYAN GIGGS is eyeing a return to the dugout after admitting he “misses” management.
The Manchester United legend, 50, has been away from football since leaving his post as Wales manager nearly two years ago.
Giggs was replaced by Rob Page following charges for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
The jury failed to reach a conclusion in the first trial.
And last July, the Crown Prosecution Service abandoned the charges ahead of a planned retrial after the prosecutor said they were formally offering no evidence.
The 13-time Premier League winner has always maintained his innocence.
But Giggs is now hoping for a fresh spell in management, having also spent four games as United’s interim boss in 2014.
He told a paying audience at Chester’s Crowne Plaza Hotel: “I loved managing Wales, obviously. I do miss it so hopefully (I can manage again).”
The Welsh FA could be on the hunt for a new manager this year should Page fail to qualify for Euro 2024.
Wales face a play-off semi against Finland before a possible showdown with either Poland or Estonia.
But there’s no indication Giggs would be considered for the role he previously held between January 2018 and November 2020.
He spent 25 games at the helm of his national side, winning 12 matches and losing eight while leading them to the last 16 of Euro 2020.
As a player, Giggs featured 64 times for Wales while scoring 12 goals in the process.
He’s remembered fondly by United fans for his time at Old Trafford, which started in 1990 and ended in 2014.
Giggs netted 168 goals in 963 during that time, winning 13 titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.
But his brief spell in the United dugout did not go to plan as he won just two of four games at the helm.
Giggs said: “It was the one I lost which made me want to manage.
“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.”
On United’s title ambitions under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Giggs added: “I can see them winning the league next year, seriously. Let’s see what happens with City.
“Jurgen Klopp moves, Arsenal haven’t got much money to spend. Stranger things have happened.”
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