Scholes gets green light to take reins at Oldham
LEAGUE’S ALL-CLEAR OVER SALFORD LINKS
PAUL SCHOLES has finally been given the go-ahead to take his first steps in management with Oldham Athletic. Issues surrounding the former Manchester United midfielder’s part-ownership of Salford City were ironed out during a two-day EFL board meeting.
Sportsmail understands Scholes has been allowed to retain a stake in Salford, who are gunning for promotion from the National League. The board deemed that there is no conflict of interest and that decision will not change should the Class of 92’s side end up in the same division as Oldham next season.
It means the 44year-old is free to begin work at Boundary Park and is expected to watch their game at Crawley Town today. Scholes (below) had agreed an 18-month deal with his boyhood club some time ago but was waiting on clearance.
EFL rules prevent anyone holding roles with two clubs at the same time without prior consent. A stake of 10 per cent or less, which Scholes has at Salford, is overlooked if seen as ‘purely for investment purposes’.
He is unlikely to be unveiled until Monday, 24 hours before what could be his first night in the dugout when Oldham host Yeovil Town. Scholes is expected to name Mick Priest as his assistant. Priest, from Oldham, was an academy coach at United during Scholes’s time at Old Trafford and has previously had a spell as first-team coach at Fulham. He was also assistant manager of Israeli side Maccabi Haifa and assistant coach at Norwegian outfit IK Start. Pete Wild has occupied the caretaker role since Oldham — who are 15th in League Two — sacked Frankie Bunn just after Christmas. Scholes was approached about taking over by owner Abdallah Lemsagam last month. He told Lemsagam that interference in selection would not be tolerated and that sole control was non-negotiable. Previous managers, not least former United trainee Richie Wellens, encountered difficulties with Lemsagam. And the owner’s brother, Mohamed, has been employed as sporting director. The wage bill, which stands at almost £2.5million, is one of the highest in the division, but Lemsagam — a former agent — has been accused of favouritism towards his own signings. Some players are angry about meddling from the board, with former striker Craig Davies — who left for Mansfield Town last summer — launching stinging criticism at Lemsagam. Davies said: ‘I’ve never worked for someone who thinks it’s acceptable to treat his staff and players in such a bad way, with him calling players into his office, criticising their team-mates to them, calling meetings to humiliate other players in front of all the team just days before the most important match of the season. ‘This will have an effect on the mood of the club.’