‘I wanted the job’ – Scholes reveals he was after Oldham post

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

Manchester United legend and boyhood Oldham fan Paul Scholes has admitted he was interested in the manager’s job at Boundary Park.

The 42-year-old was reportedly interviewed for the position last week, however the Latics announced yesterday that interim boss Richie Wellens has been placed in permanent charge of the team.

Wellens signed a two-year deal with the club, having guided the side to four wins and a draw in his five games in caretaker charge.

Scholes, who was namechecked by Oldham chairman Simon Corney as having advised him to appoint Wellens, has now revealed that he was keen on the post himself.

“I wanted the job. It’s not a secret from my side. It is something that interested me. Talks went well but they probably interviewed a few people. It was a job that I wanted, it was something I was interested in,” he said.

“They couldn’t ignore what Rich’s done with the five games he has been in charge. They won four and drew against Bradford on Tuesday. He has done a fantastic job and turned it right around.

“I think he has the fans excited again with a style of football they haven’t seen for a while. Good luck to Richie, he has got the job and hopefully he can carry that on.”

Scholes has had just a sole coaching job since he retired from playing, joining Ryan Giggs’ backroom staff when the Welshman was appointed Manchester United manager on an interim basis in 2014.

But he says he is now ready to go into management: “It might happen one day [becoming manager of Oldham], I was hoping it would be this time,” he said.

“I have done my coaching badges. Why do coaching badges if you don’t want to go into football? It’s something in the future I want to do.”