Latics owner surprised by Scholes’ departure
OLDHAM Athletic owner Abdallah Lemsagam sayd he is surprised and disappointed by Paul Scholes’ sudden decision to resign as manager.
The former United midfielder quit on Thursday evening after just 31 days in charge, saying he had been misled over the amount of control he would have at Boundary Park.
Lemsagam said: “Both myself and the staff at the club gave Paul all the support and autonomy he asked for.
“I was always supportive of any decisions Paul made or consulted me on, reassuring him that he was the man in charge.
“I continued to encourage him despite the results and reassured him that his job was secure.
“He did not raise any concerns at all about the team or any other matters informally or formally, prior to his resignation. He gave no opportunity or indications that he needed to address any issues at all.
“I have been in Dubai over the last couple of weeks and actually at ease knowing that he was in charge. I was very surprised as he simply resigned by text on Wednesday afternoon and has refused to discuss matters that influenced him to make his decision.”
Mick Priest, who remains at the club, is set to take charge for the visit of fifth-placed Tranmere Rovers today.
Midfielder Jose Baxter will serve the first of a three-match suspension after being sent off during the midweek defeat to leaders Lincoln City. BURY will be looking to extend the gap between themselves and the League Two play-off positions when they face Cambridge United at Gigg Lane today.
Nicky Maynard’s injury-time header earnt the Shakers three points at Stevenage last weekend, but they didn’t feature in midweek due to already having played their fixture against Cheltenham on February 26.
This gave then third place MK Dons the chance to move within just two points of Bury on Tuesday, but they failed to capitalise finding themselves 3-0 down and eventually losing 4-2 away at Morecambe.
That result meant the gap between Ryan Lowe’s side and those below them stretched to five points, with both the Dons and Mansfield still to play each other before the end of the season.
Today’s opponents, however, sit three places above the relegation zone in 20th and are unbeaten in their last three games, most recently gaining a point in a goaless draw at home to Crewe.
A late goal from Greg Taylor earnt Cambridge a point last time the two sides met in a 2-2 draw in November after goals from Jay O’Shea and Will Aimson had put Bury 2-1 up.
“There are nine tough games to go. Cambridge are in good form, as they’ve had some good results. They’re nowhere near finished and they’ll want to keep working hard.” said Lowe. “They’ve got a good manager in place who’ll make sure that they don’t just think that they’re on the beach already.
“For us, we can’t take anything for granted.”