Paul Scholes Shares Message That ‘Got Him’ After Quitting Job for Autistic Son
Paul Scholes has shared the emotional message that 'got to him' after announcing he has stepped away from football punditry to care for his autistic son, Aiden.
After retiring from football for a second time in 2013, Scholes had a short spell in management before he moved into the media as a pundit and commentator.
But he has now stepped away from those live TV responsibilities to focus his schedule around Aiden, who he co-parents with his ex-wife Claire.
Scholes discussed his decision on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast alongside Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Jill Scott.
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He said: "Everything I'm going to do now just works around him.
"I do studio work, but everything is built around his day.
"Last season on Thursday nights I'd do the Europa League for Manchester United. That's the night I'd usually have him, so he was getting all agitated, biting and scratching.
"He knows the pattern's not there straight away."
At the end of the episode, The Overlap team described it as "one of the most open and genuine conversations we've ever had."
Following the interview, Scholes took to Instagram to thank people for their support and share a message that struck him.
He wrote: "Would just like to thank everyone for all your kind messages since the Overlap interview regarding Aiden, there's been loads and tried to read as many as possible.
"The response from families (especially dads) shows how much speaking about it helps so many...
"There was one quote from a parent in a similar position that's just got me, 'my job is to stay alive for one day longer than my son/daughter.'"
He added: "Anyway it's weekend, let's have a few drinks and watch the football.. come on Salford."
The 50-year-old confirmed his future work will continue to revolve around Aiden's needs.
He has launched a new podcast this season called The Good, The Bad and The Football, where he appears alongside Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness.
Scholes also revealed on The Overlap that he had kept his son's diagnosis private during his playing career.
"I never got a break from it, even when playing - it was very hard in those days," he said.
"I don't think they diagnosed it until he was two-and-a-half years old. But you knew early something was wrong, but then you get the diagnosis, and I'd never heard of it.
"I remember the first time after it, we were playing Derby away and I just didn't want to be there.
"I remember the manager dropped me the week after, and I hadn't told anyone. I ended up telling them a few weeks later, as it was quite hard."
Topics: Paul Scholes, Football, Man Utd, Manchester United
James Taylor