Scholes to be unveiled as new Oldham manager

Paul Scholes will be confirmed as the new manager of Oldham Athletic today.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder has agreed to make his managerial debut at the League Two club and is due to be unveiled at a press conference at Boundary Park this afternoon.

His appointment had been held up while he awaited clearance from the English Football League.

Scholes, 44, owns a 10 per cent stake in National League promotion chasers Salford City along with five of his former Old Trafford teammates and the EFL needed to investigate his position since their rules prohibit a person holding roles with two clubs at the same time without prior consent.

But a shareholding of 10 per cent or less in a club is disregarded so long as it is held “purely for investment purposes” and the EFL is satisfied there is no conflict of interest.

Oldham’s 3-0 win at Crawley Town on Saturday moved them up to 14th in League Two.

They have been looking for a permanent manager since sacking Frankie Bunn in December. Oldham’s next game is at home against Yeovil tomorrow. It is unclear if Scholes will take charge for that match or wait for the visit of Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Scholes – who has been working as a pundit for BT Sport in recent years – was part of the takeover of Salford in 2014 with his old “Class of 92” team-mates at United, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville. David Beckham has since also acquired a stake.

But Scholes spoke publicly only last month about his desperation to get back into football, almost six years since he retired after an illustrious playing career with United and England.

His coaching experience is very limited and he has yet to take his Uefa Pro Licence but he has been eager to move into management.