Ryan Giggs, 52, is pictured on a romantic trip in Barbados with girlfriend Zara Charles, 38, as World Cup work keeps much of the Class of 92 busy in the US and on TV. Behind the Caribbean scenes, the former Wales manager remains without a coaching role after d
Ryan Giggs stepped out of the sea near Bridgetown, Barbados, wiping his face as he met Zara Charles on the shore—while the 52-year-old appeared to soak up Caribbean sunshine on a getaway that seems far removed from football noise.
The former Wales manager was photographed wearing navy swimming shorts as he trudged from the water. Charles, 38, was seen in lingerie-style beachwear, and the couple—who share a child together—looked close as they enjoyed the crystal-clear ocean during what appears to be a private romantic break.
They are thought to be staying at the Maddox Villa on the coast, where holidaymakers reportedly have to fork more than £10,000 per night. For Giggs, with the World Cup already underway, the holiday offered a rare moment away from the sport itself.
Giggs and Charles began dating in 2021, and welcomed their baby daughter in November 2024. The couple’s child, Cora, was born at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, and became Giggs’s third child. He also has Libby, 23, and son Zach, 19, from his ex-wife Stacey Cooke.
Their relationship has played out in public before. Insiders had previously claimed Stacey—who divorced Giggs in 2017—gave her blessing to his relationship with Charles. Giggs and Charles have also been pictured together during another trip. with Instagram posts showing them together at a skiing resort in France a couple of months ago.
But while Giggs appeared to be escaping the spotlight. several of his Class of ’92 teammates have stayed plugged into football in the build-up to and during the World Cup. Gary Neville is working for ITV on coverage. Paul Scholes appears on The Good. The Bad and The Football podcast. and David Beckham’s Inter Miami earned their first ever trophy in the MLS Cup in December.
Giggs, however, has not found a new role in coaching since leaving his Wales job in 2022. His exit came amid allegations of domestic abuse against his ex-partner. The allegations of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour towards Kate Greville and her sister Emma were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2022.
A retrial was later abandoned three years after prosecutors pulled out of the case, after Greville declined to give evidence. Giggs has always strongly denied the charges and said he felt “deeply relieved” at the time. but the controversy has continued to make rebuilding his public standing difficult.
That has also affected recognition in football circles. In January, it was reported that the Premier League “shelved plans” to induct Giggs into their Hall of Fame. He was intended to be an inaugural member alongside Alan Shearer after the Premier League launched the concept. but he was “quietly withdrawn” and has not yet been recognised despite being cleared in 2023.
The former Manchester United winger most recently worked as a director of football at League Two club Salford City. He was reported to have taken a step back from day-to-day duties at the start of the season with the view of pursuing a return to full-time management.
For now, the images from Barbados show a man travelling far from football meetings and training grounds—while the questions around what comes next in his career have stayed tethered to his past.
Ryan Giggs Zara Charles Barbados Bridgetown World Cup Class of 92 Gary Neville Paul Scholes David Beckham Inter Miami Wales manager Hall of Fame Premier League