Retired Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes rejected the opportunity to take up a coaching role at the club, manager David Moyes revealed.
Moyes has already added former United player Phil Neville and current player Ryan Giggs to his coaching staff. The Scottish manager spoke with Scholes over occupying a similar position, only for the former England international to politely decline due to family reasons.
"I wanted to make sure I had connections who know what the club is about," Moyes said in his first press conference as United manager. "I spoke to Paul Scholes as well and he wanted to have some time off with his family."
A new vacancy in the coaching staff had been created by the departure of first team coach Rene Meulensteen last month. That position has since been filled by Giggs.
"I spoke with Rene Meulensteen but he decided to go, so I thought the obvious person was Ryan [Giggs] and he's been great," Moyes explained. "I've only worked with him for two days but he's an incredible footballer and sometimes until you get really close you don't realise that. He's been on his Pro Licence course and taking steps forward and with him and Phil Neville I wanted to make sure I had some young members behind me as well."
Moyes, however, did not rule out the possibility of Scholes becoming a United coach in the future.
"He [Scholes] has been fantastic, he wanted to give me so much help and direction on things," Moyes said. "We spent over an hour on the phone, but he wants to give his family some time now after retirement. But there will be a place for him, we will look to bring him back in when he is ready."
In his attempt to connect with the club, Moyes has sought out some of United's legendary players like Neville, Scholes and Giggs. Such an action would go a long way in helping him understand the club, not to mention endearing himself to United fans. The Scot was keen to assure the supporters that United will continue to play attacking, effective football.
"I hope we play the same way, with the same traditions and entertaining, exciting football," he said. "I've always said the biggest thing in football is to win, the job here is to win. I would always put winning at the top of the list."
