Paul Scholes has resigned as manager of Oldham Athletic after just 31 days in the job. The former Manchester United and England midfielder was appointed on an 18-month contract last month in what marked his first foray into management.
But he is understood to have tired quickly of interference from Oldham’s controversial Moroccan owner Abdallah Lemsagam and informed the club’s board on Thursday afternoon of his decision.
Scholes won just one of his seven games in charge and leaves Oldham lying in fourteenth position in League Two.
“It is with great regret that I have decided to leave the club with immediate effect,” Scholes said in a statement. “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. The fans, players, my friends and family all knew how proud and excited I was to take this role.
“In the short period since I took on the role 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.
“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 had warned when he took the job that he would not tolerate any interference in first team matters from Lemsagam.
But the concerns harboured by those close to Scholes - many of whom had warned him against taking the job - have been borne out, with the 44-year-old eventually accepting that his position had become untenable.
In a statement, Oldham 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.”
Lemsagam bought Oldham from Simon Corney in January last year and Scholes was his third permanent manager in just 15 months.
Richie Wellens was sacked last June and his replacement Frankie Bunn lasted six months before being dismissed at Christmas. Scholes took over on Feb. 11 from caretaker manager Pete Wild.
Lemsagam was subjected to a scathing attack from former Oldham player Craig Davies last summer following his move to Mansfield. Davies accused the owner of treating staff and players “in such a bad way” and claimed Wellens’s hands were tied as manager due to the “restrictions put on him”.
“With all the good at the club I wish it well in an unclear future because I can honestly say in the 14 years I've been a professional footballer I've never worked for someone that thinks it's acceptable to treat his staff and players in such a bad way,” Davies had said.
"This will have an effect on the mood of the club, not just the playing staff but the office staff too.""I feel very sorry for Richie Wellens who was an excellent manager for me but whose hands were clearly tied by the restrictions put on him by the chairman. I wish the club, not the owner, nothing but good fortune for the club season and the future."