Ryan Giggs has resigned as Wales coach with immediate effect.
Giggs has been on leave 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 behavior against his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between August 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs is also accused of assaulting Mrs. Greville, causing her actual bodily harm, and of the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, at her home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1. of 2020.
Giggs has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks from August 8.
Robert Page has led Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years in the absence of Giggs. Page will be at the helm in Qatar with Giggs deciding to resign.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to manage my country, but it is only fair that the FA of Wales, the coaching staff and the players prepare for the tournament with certainty, clarification and no speculation about 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 Wales Football Association said it “recognizes the personal statement issued by Ryan Giggs on 20 June 2022”.
A brief statement said: “The FAW is grateful to Ryan Giggs for his tenure as coach of the Cymru men’s team and is grateful for the decision he has made, which is in the best interests of Welsh football.
“The full focus of FAW and the Cymru men’s national team is on the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.”
Complete Giggs statement
After much consideration, I leave my post as coach of the Wales men’s national team with immediate effect.
It has been an honor and a privilege to manage my country, but it is only fair that the Welsh FA, the coaching staff and the players prepare for the tournament with certainty, clarification and no speculation about the position of their coach.
As has been made public, I have pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against Manchester Crown Court.
While I am confident in our legal process, I had hoped that the case would be heard sooner to allow me to resume my management responsibilities.
Because of no one, the case has been delayed.
I do not want the country’s preparations for the World Cup to be affected, destabilized or jeopardized in any way by the continued interest in this case.
I’ve been lucky enough to have enjoyed some unforgettable moments during my three years at the helm of the national team.
I am proud of my track record and will love these special moments forever.
It has been a pleasure to work with such established and senior professionals, and it has given me immense pride to see so many young players progress in the national team and flourish with the red colors of our country.
I am thrilled and grateful to our passionate fans for following us around the world.
Seeing almost 3,000 of our loyal traveling fans in Baku for the Euro Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan made me appreciate the sacrifices people make to see our nation play.
I am sad that we cannot continue this path together because I believe that this extraordinary group will make the country proud of our first World Cup since 1958.
I would like to thank CEO Noel Mooney, his predecessor Jonathan Ford, the FAW Board of Directors, as well as the many backstage people who work tirelessly to help our national team and support me. they have given during this difficult time in my personal life.
My intention is to resume my managerial career at a later date and I look forward to seeing our selection by your side in the stands.
Finally, I would like to wish the FAW players, staff and fans every success at the World Cup and in the future.
Thanks and best wishes. Ryan
Giggs, who won 64 games in Wales as a player, succeeded Chris Coleman as coach.
He had to win over many fans who had questioned his commitment to the cause of Wales during a stellar career at Old Trafford.
But Giggs did it when Wales, driven by the brilliance of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, qualified for Euro 2020, their second consecutive European Championship final.
However, Euro 2020 was delayed by 12 months due to the coronavirus and Page, whom Giggs had appointed as an assistant in August 2019, ended up taking Wales to the final last summer.
Page relied on this work to guide Wales to second place behind Belgium in their qualifying group for the 2020 World Cup.
Victories over Austria and Ukraine secured Wales’ place in a World Cup for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in Sweden in 1958.
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Gareth Bale was left speechless after Wales qualified for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Page recently revealed that his contract lasts as long as Wales are in the World Cup, and Bale endorsed the former Northampton and Port Vale coach ahead of this month’s League of Nations match against Belgium.
Bale said: “I think he’s the long-term coach. I don’t think there’s any doubt in the locker room or the fans.
“He did an amazing job on arrival, in difficult circumstances. Everyone has a great relationship with him.
“I guess that’s why you get great things done when your team is happy and your coach is doing well.”