Ryan Giggs Steps Down, Page Takes Over As Wales National Team Coach

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has stepped down as Wales manager with immediate effect while Robert Page will take over for the World Cup in Qatar later in 2022.

The Welshman made this announcement on his website which is also available on his social media pages. In his statement, he reiterated that he was not guilty when he said, "As has been well publicised, I have pleaded not guilty to the criminal accusations being heard at Manchester Crown Court."

Official: Ryan Giggs standing down as manager of the Wales men’s national team with immediate effect. ???????
Read the full statement ➡️https://t.co/vPQrW3gvpA pic.twitter.com/nylu7t6eph

— Ryan Giggs (@RyanGiggs_cc) June 20, 2022

Giggs has been on leave from his post since November 2020 and faces a domestic violence trial in Manchester on August 8.

The 48-year-old former Manchester United player is accused of controlling and coercive behaviour against his former girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.

Giggs is also accused of assaulting Ms Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.

Giggs has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial is set to last around two weeks from August 8.

Robert Page has led Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years in Giggs' absence. Page will be in-charge at the World Cup in Qatar with Giggs deciding to stand down.

"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," Giggs said in a statement.

He said he intends "to resume my managerial career at a later date".

The Football Association of Wales said it "acknowledges the personal statement released by Ryan Giggs on 20 June 2022".

The Football Association of Wales acknowledges the personal statement released by Ryan Giggs.

— FA WALES (@FAWales) June 20, 2022

A short statement read: "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.

"The full focus of the FAW and the Cymru Men's National Team is on the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year."

Giggs, who won 64 Wales caps as a player, succeeded Chris Coleman as manager.

He had to win over many supporters who had questioned his commitment to the Wales cause during a stellar playing career at Old Trafford.

But Giggs managed that as Wales - fired by the brilliance of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey - qualified for Euro 2020, their second successive European Championship finals.

However, Euro 2020 was delayed by 12 months because of coronavirus and Page, who Giggs had appointed as his assistant in August 2019, ended up taking Wales to the finals last summer.

Page built on that work by steering Wales to second place behind Belgium in their 2020 World Cup qualification group.

Victories over Austria and Ukraine then secured Wales' place at a World Cup for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in Sweden in 1958.

Page revealed recently that his contract runs for as long as Wales are in the World Cup, and Bale endorsed the former Northampton and Port Vale boss before this month's Nations League game against Belgium.

Bale said: "I think he is the long-term manager. I don't think there is any question in the changing room or from the fans.

"He's done an incredible job coming in, in difficult circumstances. Everyone with him has a great relationship.

"I guess that's why you achieve big things when your team is happy and your manager is doing well."