Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has left his role as Oldham manager after just 31 days over claims of broken promises.
It was a lengthy process to get the ex-England international through the door, with the 44-year-old last month signing an 18-month contract to kick-off his managerial career at his boyhood club.
Scholes got off to a dream start by overseeing a 4-1 win against Yeovil, but things went awry as Oldham drew three and lost three of their subsequent six Sky Bet League Two games.
Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Lincoln proved to be his final match at the helm, with Scholes announcing his shock departure on Thursday afternoon.
“It is with great regret that I have decided to leave the club with immediate effect,” Scholes said in a statement released to Press Association Sport.
“I hoped to at the very least, see out my initial term of 18 months as the manager of a club I’ve supported all my life. The fans, players, my friends and family all knew how proud and excited I was to take this role.
“In the short period since I took on the role it unfortunately became clear that I would not be able to operate as I intended and was led to believe prior to taking on the role.
“I wish the fans, the players and the staff – who have been tremendous – all the best for the rest of the season and will continue to watch and support the club as a fan.”
Scholes’ departing statement appears to fly in the face of owner Abdallah Lemsagam saying upon his appointment in February that “Paul will have my backing 100 per cent”.
Paul Scholes statement confirming his exit from Oldham pic.twitter.com/QP8WO5rfZx— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) March 14, 2019
The timing of the announcement also seemed to blindside Oldham, who tweeted about their players heading away on international duty just minutes after news of his exit broke.
The club belatedly confirmed Scholes’ exit 40 minutes after it became public knowledge.
The club said in a statement: “Oldham Athletic Football Club can confirm that Paul Scholes has resigned from his position as first-team manager with immediate effect.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Paul for his efforts during his spell in charge of the club and would like to wish him well for the future.
“An update on the permanent replacement will be made as soon as possible.”
Scholes, who spent his entire playing career with United and won 20 major trophies, including 11 Premier League titles, leaves with Oldham 14th in the League Two standings and nine points off the play-offs ahead of Tranmere’s visit on Saturday.
Scholes has been working as a pundit for BT Sport in recent years and was part of the takeover of Salford City in 2014 with his old ‘Class of 92’ team-mates at United.
Salford announced before the 44-year-old’s appointment at Oldham that he would resign as a club director but retain his 10 per cent stake in the club
