Ryan Giggs steps down as Wales manager | OneFootball

Ryan Giggs has stepped down as manager of the Wales national team.

The 48-year-old moved away from his role in November 2020 after being arrested, leaving Robert Page to take temporary charge of the The Dragons.

In Giggs’ absence, Page led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 after beating Ukraine 1-0 in the playoff in June.

Giggs has now confirmed that he will permanently leave his post, in a statement released on Monday night

“It has been an honour and a privilege to manage my country but it is only right that the Wales FA, the coaching staff and the players prepare for the tournament with certainty, clarification and without speculation around the position of their head coach,” he stated.

“As has been well publicised, I have pleaded not guilty to the criminal accusations being heard at Manchester Crown Court. Whilst I am confident in our judicial process, I had hoped that the case would have been heard earlier to enable me to resume my managerial responsibilities.

“Through nobody’s fault the case has been delayed. I do not want the country’s preparations for the World Cup to be affected, destabilised or jeopardised in any way by the continued interest around this case.”

The former Manchester United winger had been in charge since January 2018 and had won 14 of his 26 games in the Welsh dugout.