Paul Scholes believes he will one day manage Oldham Athletic after turning down the ‘right job’ in order to spend time with his young family.
The former midfielder was offered the job by club chairman Simon Corney after the departure of Lee Johnson, who has joined Barnsley.
The Manchester United legend, who has three children, is a lifelong fan of his hometown club but felt he was currently unable to give 100% commitment to the role.
Since retiring in 2013, the former England international has begun working as a TV pundit but has stated his ambition to take the helm at a club that holds great meaning for the midfielder.
“One day I believe I will manage Oldham, who are very close to my heart,” Scholes wrote in The Independent.
“This was the right job at the wrong time. 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 I would have tried to combine a coaching job with my TV work.”
Scholes assisted former teammate Ryan Giggs during the latter’s short spell as United’s caretaker Manchester last season.
He also took charge of non-league Salford City, where he is a part-owner, after the departure of the club’s manager Phil Power.
The 40-year-old watched Oldham move to within three points of a League One play-off spot with victory away to Port Vale on Tuesday.
His presence only serves to vindicate Mr Corney’s belief it is only a matter of time until Scholes, by admitting that part of him already wants to be on the sidelines, takes over.
“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 dugout,” said the 11-time Premier League champion.
“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.”
Main image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
