Scholes quit as Oldham boss by text message
PAUL SCHOLES resigned as Oldham manager by text, according to the club’s owner Abdallah Lemsagam. Scholes cited broken promises regarding Lemsagam’s interference in team matters after ending his 31-day reign on Thursday. But in a statement released yesterday Lemsagam, a Dubai-based former agent who employs his brother as sporting director, refuted allegations of meddling. ‘Both myself and the staff at the club gave Paul all the support and autonomy that he asked for,’ he said. ‘I personally 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. 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.’ The club’s fans are planning to protest against Lemsagam at today’s match with Tranmere. A march to Boundary Park has been proposed, along with a mass walk-out during the League Two clash and a further protest outside the ground after the game. Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has invited Scholes to do coaching at United, but he will not be joining a backroom team that already includes Mike Phelan, Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Mark Dempsey.