It's official... well almost

Last updated : 10 February 2019 By The Chairman

It looks like the Paul Scholes deal is finally settled as various sources of media have now intimated. According to the BBC Sports football website it should be officially announced at 2:00pm this afternoon. The page quoted:

“Paul Scholes is set to be unveiled as the Oldham Athletic manager at a press conference on Monday at 14:00 GMT. Scholes was cleared to take charge of the League Two club after an English Football League meeting on Friday. The ex-England midfielder owns a 10% stake in National League club Salford City along with five former Manchester United team-mates. However, a holding of 10% or less in a club is disregarded providing it is held "purely for investment purposes." EFL rules prevent a person holding roles with two clubs at the same time without the prior consent of the board.

The 44-year-old now looks on course to take his first managerial role in the EFL with the club he's followed since he was a boy. It is understood Scholes has previously spoken to the Latics about succeeding Frankie Bunn as manager, but the matter was complicated by his involvement with Salford, who could be in the same league as Oldham next season. This issue has now been resolved, leaving Scholes free to take up the job at Boundary Park. Scholes, who co-owns Salford alongside Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and businessman Peter Lim, has previously spoken of his desire to take up a full-time coaching or management role. His only professional involvement since he retired in 2013 has been the four games he spent as part of Giggs' backroom team when the now Wales manager took caretaker charge at Manchester United following David Moyes' dismissal as boss in 2014. He has most recently been working as a television pundit for BT Sport.”

Scholes will take over the club who are currently sitting in 14th spot in League Two after beating 3-0 Crawley on Saturday. He takes his position on the bench on Tuesday night when the Latics entertain Yeovil Town. This could be a significant turning point for the club as a win would leave them just six points off a play-off spot; and with another two winnable home games to follow, who knows?