Paul Scholes is poised to become the new manager of Oldham Athletic after receiving clearance from the English Football League. The Manchester United legend co-owns National League outfit Salford City along with five of his former Red Devils team-mates. EFL rules prevent a person holding roles with two clubs at the same time without the prior consent of the board.
Oldham have targeted the former England midfielder to be their new boss since sacking Frankie Bunn in December. The main obstacle to his appointment was his 10 per cent stake in Salford but the matter has now been resolved and he is free to manage the club he supported growing up. The 44-year-old, a BT pundit, also confirmed last week that he would be prepared to give up his media work if it meant that he could return to football.
‘The media stuff I have half-enjoyed doing it but it’s not the same as being involved with a club every day,’ he said. ‘When you leave school after 20 years, you want to achieve something and I feel like that’s been lost in the last four to five years.’
Scholes has previously spoken of his desire to enter into management, his only professional experience coming as part of Ryan Giggs’ backroom team in 2014.