Ryan Giggs is eager to return to football management as soon as possible after prosecutors dropped their domestic violence case against Britain's most decorated footballer.
The 49-year-old learned on Tuesday morning that the Crown Prosecution Service will no longer pursue two charges of assault and a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Giggs, a 13-times Premier League and double Champions League winner at Manchester United, stepped aside as Wales boss before his initial trial last summer - which ended with the jury being unable to reach a verdict.
During that trial the court heard that the Wales role was his "dream job" but Giggs stood down as Wales boss a month before the trial began; having been placed on leave after his arrest in November 2020. He had said it was to ensure no distraction for the national side ahead of their first World Cup in more than half a century.
Why prosecution dropped Ryan Giggs charges 13 days before domestic violence retrial
But, following Tuesday's outcome, Giggs is keen to continue his career in a dugout. He also previously took interim charge of United.
Giggs was not present in court but speaking on his behalf, Chris Daw KC, said: "Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he's been fighting throughout to clear his name.
"He has always been innocent of these charges, there's been very, very many lies told about him in court. He's now been found not guilty of all the charges and going forward would like to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man."
Following last summer's hung trial, the CPS pushed for the case to be heard again. But in court on Tuesday morning Peter Wright KC, on behalf of the prosecution, said that both Grevilles were unwilling to testify.
"In this case, Miss Greville and her sister Emma gave evidence over a number of days in a case when there was considerable media and public interest, and it is that particularly that that's taken its toll on them, in particular Kate Greville," Mr Wright said.
He added there had been "protracted" efforts to find out why she was unwilling to cooperate with a second trial but prosecuting lawyers did not think it appropriate to issue a witness summons to compel her to give evidence for a second time.
During last year's trial Giggs' private life was laid bare as the jury heard excerpts of raunchy love poems sent between him and Kate Greville along with details of angry exchanges between the couple that included a dispute over how to load the dishwasher at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
Giggs has a wide portfolio of business interests away from football, including the ownership of hotels and restaurants. He has also been working behind the scenes at Salford City, the League Two club he co-owns with former team-mates including Gary Neville.
Comments