Co-owner Paul Scholes steps in as caretaker manager at Salford City
Paul Scholes has stepped in as caretaker manager at Salford City, the club he co-owns, following the dismissal of Graham Alexander.
Scholes, 45, will take training on Tuesday ahead of the League Two trip to Port Vale on Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The former Manchester United midfielder’s other previous experience in management was with his boyhood club Oldham Athletic last year when he was in charge for 31 days.
It is understood that Scholes has no desire to take the job on a full-time basis and needed to be persuaded to take temporary charge as Warren Joyce, the club’s development coach, is in isolation for at least another week to prevent coronavirus spread.
Scholes is a co-owner of the club along with former team-mates such as David Beckham, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs as part of Project 92 Limited. Chris Casper, the club’s director of football, is starting the search for a new manager but Scholes is expected to be in charge for the weekend.
Alexander left with Salford sitting fifth in the table but they have drawn all their home matches this season. Since Boxing Day they had only taken maximum points at Moor Lane once. His final match was at the weekend when his team threw away a two-goal lead against Tranmere Rovers, who had a depleted team after some of their squad contracted coronavirus.
Salford have the biggest budget in League Two and it is thought that Alexander’s style of play was also a factor in the decision.
Scholes turned down approaches to start his coaching career in the six years after retiring until he agreed to manage Oldham in 2019. He resigned from his position as he was "not able to operate as I intended".
At United, Scholes was a reserve-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson before he came out of retirement in January 2012 to resume his playing career. He also had roles during David Moyes’ time at the club.
