February 13 – On the night that his former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjær stumbled to his first defeat as Manchester United coach against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Paul Scholes passed his first managerial test with a 4-1 win for Oldham against Yeovil.
Earlier this month Scholes was appointed the manager of his boyhood club Oldham Athletic after signing a one-and-a-half-year deal. Previously, the former Manchester United player held coaching roles at Old Trafford, but the Oldham job is his first as a permanent manager. Scholes stepped down as part-owner of Salford City to take the role and got off to a flying start on Tuesday with a comprehensive rout of Yeovil.
The win moved Oldham up to 11th in the League Two Table, but Scholes remained down-to-earth following his team’s win. “It was nice, but it’s just a start,” said Scholes. “That’s all it is. I know there are tougher tests ahead, starting with Saturday against Crewe, who are going really well.4-1 doesn’t reflect how difficult the night was. Yeovil made it difficult for us.”
“I’m really pleased with the goals. I said in my press conference on Monday that I knew there was talent in this squad. I want them to enjoy and express themselves and the way you do that is by scoring goals.”
The 44-year-old is the fourth former England international to make his coaching debut in the Football League this season, following in the footsteps of Derby’s Frank Lampard, Fleetwood’s Joey Barton and Macclesfield’s Sol Campbell.
Recently Scholes had been working as a TV pundit and was fiercely critical of then Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. He said when he took the Oldham job he was expecting scrutiny from Mourinho.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734804967labto1734804967ofdlr1734804967owedi1734804967sni@o1734804967fni1734804967