Manchester United and Wales icon Giggs 'free to rebuild career' after court battle

MANCHESTER: Ryan Giggs is free to "rebuild his life and career" his lawyer said on Tuesday (Jul 18) after prosecutors withdrew domestic abuse charges, ending a three-year legal battle.

Giggs always denied the allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault against his former girlfriend Kate Greville and the assault of her younger sister Emma Greville at his home.

The 49-year-old was due to go on trial for a second time after a month-long trial last year ended without the jury reaching a verdict.

But the prosecution withdrew those charges on Tuesday, acknowledging there was no realistic chance of conviction once Kate Greville had "indicated an unwillingness" to give evidence due to the toll the first trial had taken.

Giggs must now decide whether to re-embark on a coaching career that has been on hold since he was placed on leave by the Football Association of Wales in November 2020.

He had led Wales to qualification for Euro 2020, but missed the tournament as his former assistant Rob Page led the side to the last 16.

Giggs finally resigned from his role in June 2022 after Page masterminded qualification for Wales' first World Cup in 64 years.

It is for his exploits on the field for Manchester United that Giggs made his name as a dazzling teenage talent who grew into the most-decorated player in English football history.

Former United manager Alex Ferguson recalled his first glimpse of the boy who would play a pivotal role throughout his Old Trafford reign.

"I remember the first time I saw him," he said. "He was 13 and he floated across the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind."

Giggs, who was on Manchester City's books as a youngster, made his league debut for United against