Paul Scholes leaves role as Oldham Athletic manager

Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes has left his role as Oldham boss after just 31 days.

Scholes said in a statement that he had decided to resign with "great regret".

"It unfortunately became clear that I would not be able to operate as I intended and was led to believe prior to taking on the role," he continued.

• 'A dream that turned into a nightmare' - how it went wrong for Scholes at Oldham

Scholes took over with the Latics 14th in the table, nine points off the play-offs, and leaves with them in the same position.

He began his reign with a 4-1 win over Yeovil Town, but three draws and two defeats followed prior to his final match, a 2-0 defeat by league leaders Lincoln City on Tuesday.

"I hoped to, at the very least, see out my initial term of 18 months as the manager of a club I've supported all my life," he said.

"The fans, players, my friends and family all knew how proud and excited I was to take this role.

"I wish the fans, the players and the staff - who have been tremendous - all the best for the rest of the season and will continue to watch and support the club as a fan."

Scholes made 718 appearances for Manchester United, including 499 in the Premier League, and scored 155 goals in all competitions.

He initially announced his retirement at the end of the 2010-11 season, but made a comeback at the start of 2012 before finally calling time on his career in 2013, having won 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, five Community Shields and two Champions Leagues.

He also played 66 times for England, retiring after Euro 2004 to focus on his club career.

Scholes resigned as a director of National League side Salford upon taking over at Boundary Park, but he retained his shareholding and could now return.

Salford could be promoted to League Two this season and EFL rules prevent a person holding roles with two clubs at the same time without prior consent, although a holding of 10% or less in a club is disregarded providing it is held "purely for investment purposes".

All change at Oldham once again

Moroccan football agent Abdallah Lemsagam became Oldham owner in January 2018 and is now looking for his fifth manager, although Scholes' predecessor Pete Wild was only in charge in a caretaker capacity.

A club statement said: "Oldham Athletic Football Club can confirm that Paul Scholes has resigned from his position as first-team manager with immediate effect.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Paul for his efforts during his spell in charge of the club and would like to wish him well for the future.

"An update on the permanent replacement will be made as soon as possible."

'His situation became untenable' - analysis

BBC Sport's Simon Stone

There were plenty, privately as well as publicly, who told Scholes that cutting his managerial teeth at Oldham was a bad idea.

But, such was his long-held desire to manage his hometown club, he ignored them all.

As he has proved so regularly as a pundit, Scholes is a straight talker. He is also decisive.

It was always the case he would resist any outside interference, which is a claim that has been levelled at Oldham owner Abdallah Lemsagam on more than one occasion, and in the end, the former Manchester United midfielder's status became untenable.

To many, it will not come as a surprise. To others, there will be a sense of satisfaction given how brutal Scholes has been at dishing out criticism from the comfort of the pundit's chair.

Yet there is sadness too - sadness that Scholes couldn't make his dream job work, and sadness that one of those most gifted players of his generation should find himself on the outside again when surely, there is a role for him inside.

Short managerial reigns

• Brian Clough, Leeds - 44 days, eight games - 20 Jul to 13 Sept 1974
• Les Reed, Charlton - 41 days, eight games - 14 Nov to 23 Dec 2006
• Alex McLeish, Nottingham Forest - 40 days, seven games - 27 Dec 2012 to 5 Feb 2013
• Steve Coppell, Manchester City - 33 days, six games - 6 Oct to 8 Nov 1996
• Paul Scholes, Oldham Athletic - 31 days, seven games - 11 Feb to 14 Mar 2019
• Paul Hart, QPR - 28 days, five games - 17 Dec 2009 to 15 Jan 2010
• Micky Adams, Swansea - 13 days, three games - 9 Oct to 22 Oct 1997