Neville's Salford City 'considering appointing co-owner Giggs as new manager'

31 December 2023 , 13:57

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Ryan Giggs could take over as manager of Salford City (Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs could be set for a return to management, with the 50-year-old on a three-man shortlist to take over at the club he co-owns alongside fellow Class of 92 members David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.

Salford City currently sit just six points above the relegation zone in League Two and recently sacked manager Neil Wood following a 5-1 loss to Tranmere Rovers. Wood had guided Salford to the play-offs last season, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Stockport County.

However, they have struggled to replicate that form so far this season and have now gone nine league games without a win, having lost 3-0 to Grimsby Town with assistant coach Simon Wiles in interim charge.

And according to a report from the Sun, Giggs is in the frame to take over at Salford. The report states that he is among three candidates to replace Wood, along with Dean Holden and Paul Hurst.

Holden has previously managed Bristol City and Charlton Athletic, but was sacked by the Addicks in August after just 12 wins in 32 games in charge. Hurst, meanwhile, is best known for his two spells in charge of Grimsby Town and was sacked by the League Two side back in October.

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Giggs' management career includes a brief stint in interim charge at Old Trafford and a spell as Wales boss, which came to an end when he resigned last year ahead of his trial on charges of allegedly using controlling behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and her sister.

Giggs plead not guilty and an initial hearing ended with a split jury, with the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately withdrawing the charges ahead of a retrial after Greville "indicated an unwillingness" to give evidence again as the first trial had "taken its toll" on her.

Giggs is one of Salford's co-owners alongside a number of former Manchester United teammates, including Paul Scholes and Gary Neville (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Giggs has been linked with a return to management following the case and should he take over at Salford, it will not be the first time one of the club's co-owners has been in the dugout with both Scholes and Phil Neville having taken charge on an interim basis at various times.

Gary Neville was previously tasked with the day-to-day running of the club, but stood down as Salford's chief executive last year with Butt replacing him. "I am delighted and welcome this opportunity, this pressure, this responsibility," Butt said at the time.

"I accept the responsibility of the long-term vision, whilst concentrating on the short-term goals and what is needed now, and will work hard to take the club to where we believe it can be."

Matthew Cooper