Scholes to use contacts at Reds in Latics hotseat
PAUL Scholes says he will be using his contacts at United as part of his bid to get Oldham Athletic up the leagues.
The Reds and England legend will take charge of his first match as Latics manager when they host Yeovil in League Two after signing an 18-month deal.
United youngster Zak Dearnley is already on loan at Boundary Park and Scholes said he would be utilising people he knows at Old Trafford – and other top clubs – in his search for players to gain promotion.
“Yes, that’s what I’ll be trying to do,” he said. “Obviously, Zak has come in, he scored his first goal on Saturday, and he made a big difference in the game so I was really pleased with him.
“You need to have contacts when you’re down at this level, you need contacts all over the place.
“I’ve got a few people I can get in touch with at various clubs, not just United.
“Obviously, I’m very close with Nicky (Butt) and I’m close to the people at United if they can help me in some way I’m sure they will.”
Scholes has finally accepted his first job in management, and when asked why Oldham and why now, he said: “I just feel ready. There have been times in the past where it has been an option for me. But I never felt it was quite right.
“I just think now the time is right. I’ve watched the team closely, I think they’re a good team and have got some really good players. I know they’re mid-table at the moment, but with the squad we’ve got I think we should be pushing for promotion.
“Maybe that might be a little bit out of reach this year, but certainly for next season.”
Scholes lives in the area, and his dad is a die-hard Latics fan who used to watch them regularly as a kid.
And he said he dreams of restoring the club’s glory days of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“I have a lot of passion for this town. I live in the area, just 15 minutes away, which is good,” he said.
“I know it’s been 20 or 30 years since there has been real excitement at the club. It’s always been a club that seems to be fighting relegation.
“As much as other managers have tried to get a lift or something positive from the town and the football team it’s been difficult.
“I’m like every other manager who’s been at the club in that time, you want to try and change it and I hope I can do.
“It’s going to be very difficult to get to that level again. “However, you’ve got to have that ambition. I’ll have that ambition, the fans will have that ambition, I’m sure (owner) Abdallah
(Lemsagam) will have that ambition. The town was brilliant, it was a great place to be, a full crowd in some great cup runs.
“We want those times back again, of course we do, but there’s a long way to go.”
Asked if would be a culture shock compared to his time at United, he said: “I don’t know, I haven’t done it yet. But it’s football isn’t it?
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel excited by the team I’ve seen.
“I’ve watched football at all levels. I still think the basics apply to whatever level you’re at.
“I think there’s a group of players who are of a good age, there’s a couple in their 30s – you need that experience.
“But I think it’s a good group and I can’t wait to get going.
“I’ve prepared for the last two or three weeks as much I can, watching games, looking at other teams, looking at the way we play.
“I think there’s a team capable of doing well.
Scholes’ appointment, one of football’s worst kept secrets, was held up while he got clearance from the Football League, over his involvement at non-league Salford City.
He has had to resign as a director of the Ammies but can keep his 10 per cent stake, and he says he never saw it as an issue, even if Salford were to gain promotion to League Two for next term.
“If Salford got promoted next season and we don’t get promoted or relegated this year, there is a potential we could play each other,” he said.
“To be honest it was never a problem, I don’t really do anything at Salford. I was more like a Salford fan, going to games, seeing how the team was doing. “I’m here now to give 100 per cent to Oldham.”