Paul Scholes: A role model on and off the football pitch

On the football pitch Paul Scholes is as his manager said "A master of his trade" and off the football pitch he is the quiet family man who as Arsene Wenger said " Is not one who runs after the media to be in the papers. I respect that a lot."

Eric Harrison, the former Man Utd youth team manager said: "The first time I saw him as a 14-year old he took my breath away." Ever since his debut as a teenager in a league cup game against Port Vale where he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory Scholes has never looked back. Now in his 17th season at Man Utd the former England midfielder has won nine league titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and two Champions League trophies.


Scholes has never won any individual honours but has gained many admirers across europe for what he produces on the football pitch.


Italian World Cup winning manager Marcelo Lippi: "Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team."

France manager Laurent Blanc: "I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player."

Former Holland international Edger Davids: "I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Arsenal Captain Cesc Fabregas: "He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best in the Premier League."

Former France international Patrick Vieira: "The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes

Former teammate David Beckham: "He's always one of those people others talk about. Even at Real Madrid the players always say to me 'what's he like?' They respect him as a footballer and to have that respect from some of those players is great."


Off the pitch the Man Utd midfielder has a lifestyle that is not that of a percieved stereotypical footballer. He described his ideal day as "Train in the morning, pick up the kids from school, play with them, have tea, get them to bed and then watch a bit of TV." Most top footballers would have to go and fufill sponsorship duties by be in adverts but not Scholes who when asked about not having any sponsorship deals said: "Maybe I'm not good looking enough".


When he does finally retire Scholes will become a coach at Man Utd where he will probably help coach the youngsters at the club. Who better for youngsters to learn from than a man who is rodel model for young footballers all around the world and who the great Zinedine Zidane described saying " My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation." Zidane should know since he played in the same generation as Paul Scholes.