Ryan Giggs, a former Manchester United player and current co-owner of League Two’s Salford, would like to return to management.
After nearly two years of stepping aside to let Rоb Page lead the Welsh national team, the Sun now reports that Giggs is actively interested in taking over as Salford’s manager after he formally retired in June 2022. Despite a losing streak of four games in a row, former United youth coach Neil Wood is still in command.
The Ammies lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs to Stockport County on penalties last season, but Wood may be let go if they don’t contend for promotion this year. As part of an ambitious ownership group that also includes Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham and is financed by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, Giggs has a share in Salford.
After eight games, the club is in 19th place in the fourth tier with a record of two wins, one draw, and five losses. Wood addressed club media after Friday’s 2-0 home loss to Notts County: “We need to sharpen up, we need to be better in all areas.”
Since their 2019 promotion to League Two, the Ammies’ owners have been notoriously brutal in replacing managers, firing Graham Alexander, Richie Wellens, and Gary Bowyer. Giggs has been unemployed since he resigned as Wales manager in November 2020 after being arrested, only a few months before the Dragons were set to compete at the European Championships.
“After much consideration, I am standing down from my position as manager of the Wales me𝚗’s national team with immediate effect,” the 49-year-old said in a statement. It has been a great honor to lead the Welsh national team, but I believe it is only fair that the Welsh Football Association, the coaching staff, and the players go into the World Cup with no questions about who will be leading them.
The case has been postponed for no one’s fault. I don’t want the World Cup preparations to be disrupted in any way by the ongoing curiosity surrounding this case.