Ryan Giggs is to STEP DOWN as Wales boss with decision set to be announced in the coming days

Ryan Giggs is to step down as Wales manager.

The Manchester United legend – who temporarily left the role after being charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend – is to announce his decision in the coming days, as revealed by Mail+.

Talks with FAW officials have been ongoing, with Giggs pushing to finalise the move following the country’s qualification for the World Cup under interim boss Rob Page earlier this month.

Sources close to the Welsh camp have disclosed that the 48-year-old – who strenuously denies the charges and who initially stepped down following the allegations in November 2020 – has decided to bring closure to the situation following the delay of his court case.

Giggs does not want his situation to act as a distraction as his country prepares for its first appearance in a World Cup finals since 1958.

He remains determined to clear his name, but given proceedings are now unlikely to take place until August, he feels that now is the time for clarification, sources in Wales have said.

He is pushing to finalise the move following the country’s qualification for the World Cup under interim boss Rob Page

Giggs does not want his situation to act as a distraction as his country prepares for its first appearance in a World Cup finals since 1958

Giggs’s trial was adjourned for close to seven months to August 8 following a backlog of cases at Manchester Crown Court.

He is accused of causing his ex actual bodily harm at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020 and using coercive behaviour towards her. He has also been accused of assaulting his ex’s sister. Giggs denies all the allegations.

Following qualification Page revealed his contract with Wales had been extended but Giggs’s pending move will remove any confusion over the situation.

Read the full story on the Mail+ by clicking HERE.

Giggs’ nascent managerial career showed early promise and he would not rule out a return to management in the future if he clears his name

And with what he managed to achieve in his near three-year stint as manager of his country, it is no surprise he wants more of the action if he manages to clear his name.

His nascent managerial career came after a glittering time on the pitch as a player, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups. 

But the start to his managerial career was not so plain-sailing. It began in topsy-turvy circumstances, appointed as United’s interim player-manager at the back end of the 2013-14 season following the sacking of the unsuccessful David Moyes in April 2014.

He was in charge for four games before being named an assistant to incoming boss Louis van Gaal, winning half of those fixtures following 4-0 and 3-1 victories against Norwich and Hull City. 

Those wins came either side of a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland at Old Trafford, before the Red Devils secured a 1-1 draw away at Southampton on the final day of the season. 

Having had a taste of what victories as manager could bring though, Giggs felt the time was right to hand up his boots at the age of 40.

And he made an immediate impression on experienced Dutchman van Gaal, who publicly anointed Giggs as his successor after just a year into his two-year deal at Old Trafford.

During his caretaker spell, Giggs was praised for giving debuts to youngsters James Wilson and Tom Lawrence and his willingness to give youth a chance had seen him gain favour with those who wanted to see him appointed on a full-time basis.

However, United chose against taking a chance on the yet untested and unproven Giggs, instead appointing Jose Mourinho, Giggs announced his departure from the club in July 2016.

Having enjoyed two decades under the guidance of the great Sir Alex Ferguson as a player and then working on tactics and philosophy with van Gaal, Giggs felt an opportunity to show his worth was not too far away.

Less than two years later, that chance arose when his national team – who he had won 64 caps for as a player – came calling and duly appointed him as head coach on a four-year contract in January 2018.