Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs, 50, lands new job in first role for nearly two years after stepping down as Wales manager
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ryan Giggs has landed a new job nearly two years after stepping down as Wales manager.
The 50 year old has been appointed the new director of football at Salford, the League Two club he co-owns with a number of former United teammates including David Beckham and Paul Scholes.
It’s one of several changes at Salford this season, with Nicky Butt already stepping up to replace Gary Neville as CEO.
Giggs will work alongside manager Karl Robinson to improve the side’s fortunes and beat the drop to the National League.
Salford are currently 20th and just eight points above second-bottom Colchester — who have two games in hand.
The role marks Giggs’ first job in football since he stepped down as Wales boss in June 2022.
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.
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Last month, Giggs revealed he is eventually eyeing a return to the dugout as he “misses” management.
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).”
Giggs took control of 25 national team games for Wales, winning 12 matches and losing eight while leading them to the last 16 of Euro 2020.
He also played 64 times for his country while scoring 12 goals in the process.
As for United, Giggs won 13 titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues between 1990 and 2014.
He scored 168 goals in 963 games for the Red Devils and even spent four matches as interim boss.
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.”
He also reckons United can challenge for the title under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, adding: “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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