Ex-Man Utd star Ryan Giggs 'ready RETURN to management' after charges dropped

Ryan Giggs is 'closing in on a return to management with Salford City' and could take over from manager Neil Wood, according to reports.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who co-owns the League Two outfit, has been out of work since he stepped down from his position as Wales boss in June 2022.

According to The Sun, the 49-year-old is now 'closing in on a return to the dugout' if 'results do not improve at the club.'

The outlet reports that Giggs is 'taking an active interest' in the club and 'could be pushed to step in if manager Neil Wood does not get his side into contention for the play-offs.'

Salford currently sit 19th in the league standings after a turbulent start to the new campaign, having won only twice, drawn once and lost five of their opening matches.

It comes after Giggs was cleared of charges in July accusing him of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville.

The former Manchester United midfielder was facing charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over an alleged headbutt on Ms Greville that reportedly took place in November 2020.

The former Wales manager was also cleared of further counts of controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-girlfriend and common assault against her sister Emma.

Giggs had spoken 'of his relief' after the CPS had withdrawn the charges, while his Barrister added his client was 'looking forward to rebuilding his life and career as an innocent man'.

In 2022, the former midfielder opted to step down from his position as the Wales manager during the case.

In a statement, he said: 'After much consideration, I am standing down from my position as manager of the Wales men's national team with immediate effect.

'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.'

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said: 'The FAW places on record its gratitude to Ryan Giggs for his tenure as manager of the Cymru Men's National Team and appreciates the decision he has taken, which is in the best interests of Welsh football.'

Mail Sport reported earlier this year that Giggs was keen to re-start his football career as soon as he could after the charges against him were dropped.

A source said: 'His intention is to resume his managerial and coaching career. He's got unfinished business in the game.'

Giggs, who is part of an ownership group at Salford with former United team-mates Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Phil and Gary Neville, has been working within the club as a director of team performance.

But Salford have been left languishing at the bottom end of the League Two table at the start of the season, with Wood's side also having also crashed out of the EFL Cup after suffering a 3-0 defeat by Bolton earlier in September.

The Ammies reached the play-offs last season after finishing seventh in the league, but could not secure promotion, after they were beaten on penalties in the play-off semi-final by Stockport.

Giggs, meanwhile, enjoyed a successful tenure as Wales boss between 2018 and 2022, taking charge of 24 matches, winning 12 and losing eight.

He has also spent time working as an assistant coach at Manchester United, while taking the reins at the club in 2014 as interim manager following David Moyes' sacking.