Ryan Giggs has stepped down from his post as the coach of the Wales national team following the delay of his court hearing. The former Manchester United player is set to appear in court for coercive and controlling behaviour against his ex girlfriend and her sister.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial was initially set to be held in January. But, it has now been pushed back to August.
Ryan Giggs steps down as Wales national team coach
“After much consideration, I am standing down from my position as manager of the Wales men’s national team with immediate effect,” Ryan Giggs said in a statement.
“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 [World Cup] tournament with certainty, clarification and without speculation around the position of their head coach.
“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.”
Interim manager Robert Page has been named the new head coach, and will be leading the team into the World Cup. He helped the national team qualify for the first time since 1958 with a victory over Ukraine in the playoffs.
