Ryan Giggs back in football with first job since being cleared of domestic violence charges

Ryan Giggs is back in football as director of football at Salford.

The 50-year-old, who is one of the club’s co-owners alongside Phil Neville, Gary Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, stepped up into the position earlier this season. Although the move has not been formally announced, Salford mentioned his new title in the recent confirmation of Alex Bruce as their new assistant manager.

It’s his first job since stepping down as Wales manager in June 2022 in the run up to the Qatar World Cup, due to a then upcoming trial. He was cleared of domestic violence allegations made by his ex-girlfriend last July and a source close to him said at the time that he had “unfinished business in the game”.

Giggs, who won 12 of his 25 matches in charge of Wales, could return to management and coaching in the near future but is for now working as director of football for the League Two club. The Ammies currently sit 20th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone, and appointed Karl Robinson as head coach in January.

Giggs, Butt, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Scholes and Beckham each own 10 per cent of the club, with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim holding the other 40 per cent.

Salford announced at the end of February that they had launched “a process to explore new strategic partners for the club to support its ambitious growth targets”.

Butt, who replaced Gary Neville as chief executive in October, said: “We are backing Salford City with as much commitment and confidence as ever. We have achieved very special things here but there are major opportunities in front of us and we want to make sure we have the right mix of investment and strategic partners to take advantage of those opportunities.

“We had an original 10-year plan and with strong foundations now in place, it was always the intention to explore options for the next phase. That includes potentially bringing in new partners to help us grow the club and best serve the fans and community.”

The ‘Class of 92’ will celebrate 10 years since their takeover of the club on March 27.