UK Edition
'I think Jose will watch our results': Paul Scholes leaves himself open to criticism by taking Oldham job
It was indicative of his new circumstances that when a bunch of reporters fetched up at Oldham Athletic ahead of Paul Scholes’s unveiling as manager, they were let into a locked Boundary Park by none other than the man himself.
“Welcome to Oldham,” he said, before adding that he hoped they knew where they were going as he had no idea where the press conference was due to take place.
If it seems an oddity that England’s finest midfielder of his generation should begin his managerial career in the modest environs of League Two, preparing for a first game against Yeovil Town in a humble stadium routinely dismissed as the coldest in the country, it should be pointed out that, for Scholes, this is less a job and more a labour of love. While Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, his international contemporaries, have started out in the sizeable surrounds of Rangers and Derby County, there was only one place he wanted to manage: the club he first followed.
“My dad was always an Oldham fan,” Scholes said, speaking in what passes for Boundary Park’s corporate hospitality suite, a wooden shed perched at one end of the main stand. “He used to take me to all sorts of away games. At home games, I’d go in the old Chaddy [Chadderton Road] End. Honestly, you couldn’t stand up in there. I went to the FA Cup semi-final against [Manchester] United in 1990 at Maine Road. I was in the Oldham end. That’s probably one of my best memories; so close. That was a good team, great to watch under Joe Royle.”
Those days in the top flight and Cup semi-finals, however, are long gone. While Scholes went to Old Trafford and won everything in the game, his favourite team sank. Life in the bottom tier, with crowds of about 4,000, is now the norm. But he has maintained his support, buying a house in the area, frequently being spotted in the crowd. And such is his enthusiasm, he appeared unfazed by the fact that the club had latterly become a short-stay venue for managers.
In the 18 months since Abdallah Lemsagam, the Moroccan businessman, bought the place, four have been fired, several complaining about the chairman’s enthusiasm for picking the team.
But, then, Scholes has one significant advantage in any putative power struggle: such is the scale of his reputation and bank balance, he can walk away at any time.
“I don’t think there was any need for a conversation,” he said, when asked if he had received reassurances about selection. “As the owner of a club, he is going to be interested in his team. But he won’t be picking it. Myself and the coaching staff will be, so I think we are quite clear. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t confident on that. Not confident, sure of it.”
Still, he acknowledged there was a sizeable risk in his taking on the job. There he was, comfortably ensconced in the world of television punditry, cheerfully passing judgment on others’ tactical shortcomings. Now it is himself exposed to scrutiny.
“I have been quite critical, I’ve left myself wide open,” he agreed. “To be honest, I don’t think we will get many pundits watching. Still, if we are losing, I am sure people will be popping up. But they can say what they want, I have never really understood why players and managers take notice of what pundits say anyway. If anyone wants to have a dig at me, I won’t be taking any notice. The only person I answer to is the owner.”
He was certainly not worried about the prospect of Jose Mourinho – who he regularly eviscerated on live television – casting a critical eye over Oldham’s progress. “I think he will be watching results,” he smiled. “Whether he will be watching the games, I am not too sure.”
What concerned him more, he added, was the reaction of familiar faces. “Family, mates who come here, my cousins: there are a lot of people to please and I will have to block a few numbers on my phone if we get beaten. Does it make it worse, does it make easier, does it make it better [that he is a fan]? We will soon see. Results will determine that.
“Living in the area, I have left myself open to a bit of stick from Oldham fans, which I am sure will happen at some point. But I am looking forward to this job.”
So much so, Scholes admitted he had barely slept this week, eagerly anticipating everything from picking the side to his first team talk. Not that the move was a surprise: he was first approached a month ago but had to get Football League clearance, given he has a 10 per cent holding in Salford City. He has relinquished his directorship there and has pledged to dedicate himself entirely to Oldham, the club close to his heart.
“I like the team, we’ve got some good players, I think they should be capable of winning a lot of games in this league. I’m excited by it. If it comes off, great. And if it doesn’t? At least I’ve given it a go.”