PAUL SCHOLES HAS emerged as one of the candidates in the running for the vacant managerial post at League One club Oldham Athletic.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who retired in 2013, is reportedly in talks with the club following John Sheridan’s sacking last month and met with Oldham officials earlier.
Scholes is a life-long Oldham fan and a regular visitor to Boundary Park but has no managerial experience apart from a brief stint as part of Ryan Giggs’ backroom staff following David Moyes’ dismissal as Manchester United manager.
Oldham, who have also interviewed former Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf for the job, have declined to comment on whether Scholes is in the frame.
Scholes, an 11-time Premier League champion, was previously offered the chance to become manager at his boyhood club when Lee Johnson left for Barnsley in 2015.
In a column for the Independent newspaper at the time, Scholes wrote: “One day I believe that I will manage Oldham, the club that my dad supports and who are very close to my heart.
“They are a really good family club who mean a great deal to a lot of people – myself included. I just did not feel this was the right time.”
At the start of this year, Scholes took youth training sessions at Oldham as part of work towards his Uefa A coaching licence.
Since calling time on a United career comprising 717 appearances and 155 goals, Scholes has worked as a television pundit and along with Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, owns a stake in non-league side Salford City.
Another former United midfielder, Richie Wellens, is currently interim manager and has spoken of his desire to take on the role full time having won all three matches in charge.
Oldham are currently 19th in League One and have Irish players Paul Green and Eoin Doyle on their books.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
What about Jack Byrne who has been there player of the season so far.
@Moorsey: be great for byrne to continue to learn his trade under the maestro of midfield.
Be only keeping the seat warm til Sheridan takes over again.
Though he was a great player, I’m not sure he’d have a strong enough personality to be a good manager. Many players nowadays, even at that level, have very big egos and, with so many low life agents sniffing around, many think they are better than they actually are. Don’t know if Scholes would be able to keep any potential trouble makers in line. I think he’d be more suited to a coaching role where his technical ability and knowledge could be put to better use.
@Sloop John G: I think his punditry has thought us that he is far different personality wise than he was portrayed during his playing career. Very opinionated and well able to speak up and put the boot in when needed, think he could do well.
@Johnny: you may be right Johnny. I suppose if he starts with Oldham in the third tier he can learn his trade there. Now that I think about it, Mark Hughes as a player was quietly spoken off the pitch but has gone on to manage in the PL for many years.
I work with an oldham fan who is season ticket holder. Said Byrne has been best player the past month. Good long shot and a step above rest. Also eoin Doyle is banging them in. Play off bolter?!
Hope he doesn’t get it, managing your old club tends to damage your legacy.
@Lurfic: Scholes never played for Oldham. I know what you mean about great players managing their former club though, look at Zidane, Guardiola, Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, Johann Cruyff, Kenny Dalglish, Diego Simeone, Antonio Conte….. legacies ruined.
Hopefully this will soften his cough