Paul Scholes: Oldham was the right job at the wrong time for me
In this week's exclusive column, Paul Scholes talks about those reports linking him with the vacant Oldham Athletic job
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It is no secret that Oldham Athletic were interested in appointing me as Lee Johnson’s successor at the club, and it was an offer that really tempted me. Even as I watched them in the Port Vale game on Tuesday, having made my decision not to take the job, there was part of me that wished I was in the dug-out.
I will be a manager one day. I have come to see that over the last eight months, although I know that I first said that I did not see my future in coaching. And 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.
When I go into management, I want to do so with 100 per cent commitment. At the moment I have a lot of responsibilities and things going on in my life that I cannot simply drop immediately. Most importantly I have a young family who need their dad around, having been away a lot during my playing career. There was no way, for example, I would ever have tried to combine a coaching job with my work on television.
Managing a club like Oldham has to be an all-absorbing, seven days a week commitment. That is how Lee made such a success of it. One day I will be ready to do that. This was the right job, just at the wrong time.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments