Scholes left ‘wide open’ to criticism
NEW Oldham boss Paul Scholes says Jose Mourinho might be looking out for his results as he takes his first steps in management.
Scholes was highly critical as a pundit during Mourinho’s reign as United manager, which ended just before Christmas.
The legendary Reds and England midfielder, 44, was confirmed as the new Latics manager on Monday on an 18-month deal.
And Scholes accepts he has left himself open to criticism.
“I think he (Jose) will be watching results, whether he will be watching the games, I am not too sure,” he said. “That is part of the thing that bugged me a little bit.
“I wanted to get into it anyway but I have left myself wide open.
“I have been quite critical. If pundits – I don’t think we will get many pundits watching – if we are losing games I am sure people will be popping up.
“They can say what they want, I have never really understood why players and managers take notice of what pundits say anyway.
“They are just giving an opinion on the game and get paid for doing so. If anyone wants to have a dig at me, I won’t be taking any notice. The only person I answer to is the owner.”
He added: “It might be the biggest mistake of my life - I don’t know. Or it might be the best thing I ever did. There’s an uncertainty there, I don’t doubt that. That’s how I’m going into it. A manager can’t do much without players who have the ability to get out of the league and I think these players have that.”
The owner Abdallah Lemsagam sat alongside Scholes at his unveiling and the new boss said he has had assurances that he will be left to pick and run the team as he sees fit.
He said: “As the owner of a football club, he is going to be interested in his team, I am sure about that. He won’t be picking the team – myself and the coaching staff will be pick- ing the team, so I think we are quite clear on that.”
Despite Oldham sitting 14th in League Two, Scholes says wants to bring an attacking brand of play back to Boundary Park.
“When you go into a football club, it is usually a bit of a mess but I think what (interim manager) Pete Wild has done over the last six weeks has been very good.
“I have watched a lot of games and the way they have played and style won’t be too much different from what I want.
“Obviously growing up watching Oldham, growing up as a Man United player, I want attacking football, I want to be entertained on the sideline like a fan would. Hopefully we can bring that style of play.
“I can’t say I want them to play like Manchester United just yet but I want them to play an entertaining style of football.”
Scholes said earlier he would be using his contacts at Old Trafford as part of his recruitment drive.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he has spoken to his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson numerous times during his stint as caretaker United boss and Scholes said he would have no hesitation doing the same.
“I’m sure the gaffer is on the other end of the phone. He’ll want me to do well and if I need any help from him, I’ll be ringing him,” he added.