Tuesday 12 February 2019 22:41, UK
Paul Scholes expects Jose Mourinho to take a strong interest in his first foray into management with Oldham – but isn’t counting on the Portuguese to watch their matches in person.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who has left punditry and signed an 18-month contract with the Latics, was one of Mourinho's fiercest critics during his tenure at Old Trafford.
Scholes has now taken charge at his boyhood club in League Two and despite admitting he has left himself "wide open" to scrutiny, is not daunted by what might be said about him.
"I think he will be watching results," said Scholes when asked about Mourinho. "Whether he will be watching the games I am not too sure.
"That is part of the thing that bugged me a little bit. I wanted to get into it (management) anyway but I have left myself wide open. I have been quite critical."I don't think we will get many pundits watching - [although] if we are losing games I am sure people will be popping up - can say what they want.
"I have never really understood why players and managers take notice of what pundits say anyway. They are just giving an opinion on the game and get paid for doing so.
"If anyone wants to have a dig at me, I won't be taking any notice. The only person I answer to is the owner."
Scholes has plenty of former colleagues and team-mates for support and advice and revealed he will try to use his links with Manchester United to his advantage but he is keen to find his own way in management.
However, the 44-year-old does have Sir Alex Ferguson to call upon should he need some wisdom.
"I'd speak to anyone, yeah, I'm sure the gaffer is on the other end of the phone," Scholes added. "He'll want me to do well and if I need any help from him, I'll be ringing him, of course I will.
"I've got great experience with Gary (Neville) too, what he did in Valencia, Ryan (Giggs) with Wales and under Louis Van Gaal (at United).
"I'll definitely be speaking to them a lot. When I'm not quite sure what to do I'll be looking to them for advice."
There have been reports of interference in team affairs from club owner Abdallah Lemsagam and his brother Mohamed - the club's sporting director - but Scholes is adamant he will not accept that.
"I don't think there was any need for a conversation. As the owner of a football club, he is going to be interested in his team, I am sure about that," he said.
"He won't be picking the team - myself and the coaching staff will be picking the team, so I think we are quite clear on that.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't confident on that. Like I say he is interested in his football club but he runs the football club and I run the football team along with my staff."
