By Paul Jones
Ryan Giggs will remain on the sidelines for three more Wales matches – two of them World Cup qualifiers – as he awaits the outcome of his extended bail over assault allegations.
Instead, Robert Page will stay in charge for the three games against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic as the countdown to this summer’s Euro finals begins.
It was Page who stood in for Giggs for three matches in November following Giggs’ arrest and the former U21 boss will now have covered for the manager for six matches by the time this next international window closes.
Page will now carry on as caretaker coach with Wales due to announce their squad next week for the World Cup qualyfing matches away to Belgium on March 24 and Czech Republic six days later.
The FAW statement read: “The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and Ryan Giggs have mutually agreed that he will not be involved in the upcoming international camp.
The FAW and Ryan Giggs have mutually agreed that he will not be involved in the upcoming international camp.
Robert Page will take charge for the next three matches against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic.
— FA WALES (@FAWales) March 10, 2021
“Robert Page will take charge for the next three matches against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic and will be supported by Albert Stuivenberg as was the case during the last international window in November. The squad for these upcoming matches will be announced on Monday 15th March.”
Giggs, who had his bail from Greater Manchester Police extended until May 1, is still waiting to hear if there is a case to answer with his file currently with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Giggs, 47, denies the allegations.
Wales’s preparations for the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament this summer have also been disrupted by the departure of Jonathan Ford as chief executive after a vote of no confidence passed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) council.
Page oversaw victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in November as Wales were promoted into the top tier of European football.
The former Wales captain, 46, who joined Giggs’ backroom staff in August 2019, will now take charge of the opening two World Cup qualifiers this month.
Ashley Williams Says Wales Days Under Ryan Giggs Came To An End With “No Answers” https://t.co/BTYdFQmOC3
— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) March 9, 2021
Wales start their Group E campaign away to Belgium, the FIFA ranked number one side in the world, on March 24 before hosting the Czech Republic in Cardiff.
Mexico are also due to play a Cardiff City Stadium friendly on March 27, and Page will announce his squad for the three games on Monday.
Ford’s departure was announced on Tuesday and he will leave his position on March 31.
The marketing and sponsorship expert had been at the FAW since December 2009 and was widely credited with lifting the association’s profile and increasing turnover.
But rising tensions behind the scenes over a number of issues resulted in the council passing a vote of no confidence by 26 votes to five on February 22.