Paul Scholes (Part 3)

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8 Apr 2024

Paul Scholes (Part 3)

Paul Scholes was widely admired and respected by his peers, opponents, and coaches alike. Numerous football legends, including Ronaldinho, Andrés Iniesta, Luís Figo, and Zinedine Zidane, have praised his talent and skill on the field. Some of his former teammates, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, rated him as the best player they've ever played with, while managers like Glenn Hoddle and Sir Alex Ferguson regarded him as one of the most talented players they've coached.
Scholes' exceptional passing range, intelligence, and versatility earned him accolades from players and managers across the globe. Zidane considered him the toughest opponent he faced, while Xavi hailed him as the best midfielder of the past two decades. His ability to control the tempo of the game and dictate play was acknowledged by his peers, with Thierry Henry describing him as the best player in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola labeling him as the best midfielder of his generation.

Even outside the football world, figures like Marcello Lippi and Sir Bobby Charlton recognized Scholes' talent and contribution to the game. Alan Hansen ranked him among the top players in Premier League history, highlighting his passing, movement, and technique as exemplary.
Scholes' impact extended beyond his technical abilities; he was praised for his reading of the game, positional sense, and football intelligence. Many, including his national teammates, believed he was one of the few English players capable of controlling midfield and dictating play, qualities often lacking in the English national team.
Overall, Scholes' influence on the game and his reputation as a footballing genius were widely acknowledged and celebrated by players, managers, and pundits throughout his illustrious career.

Paul Scholes, along with other Manchester United legends, became involved in the ownership of Salford City in 2014, with the aim of taking the club to the Football League. Despite selling a portion of their stake to billionaire Peter Lim, Scholes remained active in the club's affairs.
In addition to his ownership role, Scholes ventured into coaching. He temporarily joined the coaching staff of Manchester United's first team in 2014, assisting his former teammate Ryan Giggs. He also served as caretaker manager of Salford City alongside Phil Neville in 2015.
Outside of his involvement with Salford City, Scholes contributed to football development internationally. He participated in training sessions for the PVF Football Academy in Vietnam alongside Ryan Giggs.

Scholes took on the managerial role at Oldham Athletic but resigned after a short stint due to reported interference from the club's owner in team affairs.
Later, in 2020, Scholes returned to Salford City as interim head coach following the departure of Graham Alexander. Despite initially ruling out a permanent position, he led the team to a victory before stepping down following the appointment of Richie Wellens as the permanent head coach. In July 2014, Paul Scholes ventured into punditry by signing a four-year deal with BT Sport. Additionally, he contributed to ITV's coverage of Champions League matches and England internationals. Prior to this, Scholes had made appearances as a pundit for Sky Sports during the 2013–14 season. In August of the same year, he took on a columnist role for The Independent. Scholes has earned praise for his straightforward and passionate style of punditry.

Paul Scholes has dealt with health challenges, including asthma and Osgood–Schlatter disease, a knee condition common among young athletes. He married his childhood sweetheart, Claire, in February 1999, and they reside in Grasscroft, Greater Manchester, with their daughter and two sons, one of whom has autism.
Off the field, Scholes is known for his modest and no-nonsense demeanor, shying away from the typical celebrity lifestyle associated with professional footballers. His focus has always been on performing his job as a professional footballer, rather than seeking attention or fame. This attitude earned praise from former teammate Roy Keane, who admired Scholes for his dedication to the game.

Scholes has a passion for betting on football matches, a hobby that landed him in trouble with The Football Association (FA) in June 2019. He was fined and warned for placing bets totaling £26,159 during his tenure as a director of Salford City. Despite this incident, Scholes remains dedicated to his family life and values spending quality time with his children.
In an interview before Euro 2004, Scholes shared his ideal day, which revolved around family time, including picking up his children from school, playing with them, having dinner together, and enjoying some leisurely activities like watching TV.

Paul Scholes has left his mark on the world of football beyond the pitch, appearing in various media and endorsements. He featured prominently in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, gracing the cover of the international edition of FIFA 2001. Additionally, Scholes was honored by being included in the Ultimate Team Legends for FIFA 17, solidifying his status as a football icon in the gaming world.
Beyond gaming, Scholes endorsed sportswear giant Nike and appeared in their commercials. One notable campaign was the global Nike advertising initiative leading up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. Scholes starred in a commercial titled "Secret Tournament" (branded "Scorpion KO"), directed by Terry Gilliam. In the commercial, Scholes shared the screen with football legends such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Edgar Davids, Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Luís Figo, and Hidetoshi Nakata. The tournament was overseen by former player Eric Cantona, adding to the star-studded lineup.

Paul Scholes, along with other Manchester United players who were part of the victorious 1992 FA Youth Cup team, has been involved in the proposal for a unique educational institution in Greater Manchester called University Academy 92 (UA92). This university aims to provide a different approach to higher education by offering a wider range of courses than traditional degrees. The goal is to attract students who may not have considered pursuing higher education otherwise.
UA92 is envisioned as a place where students can receive education and training in various fields, including sports, business, media, and other disciplines. The initiative seeks to empower students with practical skills and knowledge that can prepare them for success in their chosen careers. The involvement of Paul Scholes and his fellow former footballers adds prestige and credibility to the project, highlighting their commitment to providing opportunities for young people to pursue their educational and professional aspirations.