Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has announced that he is stepping away from punditry and live commentary to dedicate more time to caring for his son, Aiden Scholes.
Aiden, now 20, has a severe, non-verbal form of autism, and Scholes says that his son’s daily routines and wellbeing have become the central focus of his life.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Scholes explained his decision: “I made a decision this year because of Aiden, obviously due to his special needs you might know about. All the work I do now is just around his routines because he has quite a strict routine every single day, so I just decided everything I’m going to do is around Aiden.”
The Manchester United legend revealed that his decision was not sudden but something he had been contemplating for some time as balancing his punditry work and family responsibilities became increasingly difficult.
“Last season, on Thursday nights I’d do the Europa League for Man 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. And I did that for years really, always thinking I’ve got to stop this at some point.”
Scholes went on to describe the structure and predictability that define his son’s life — and how he now plans everything around it. “We always do the same things with him as he doesn’t know what day of the week it is or time. But he’ll know from what we’re doing what day it is.”
“I pick him up every Tuesday from his daycare and we go swimming. Loves swimming then we get his pizza on the way home. Thursday I pick him up, go for something to eat, go home. Sunday, I pick him up from his mother’s house and we go to Tesco where he buys a trolley full of chocolate.”
The 49-year-old also revealed that since he and his former wife Claire separated, they now share parenting duties to ensure Aiden’s needs are consistently met. “I’m not with Claire anymore so we have him three nights each, and Claire’s mum has him on a Friday night.”
Reflecting on his earlier years as a footballer, Scholes admitted that Aiden’s diagnosis had deeply affected him but that he kept it private while playing for Manchester United. “I didn’t speak to anyone at the club about it. Even now I don’t want sympathy or anything. I just thought even if I did speak to someone about it, it’s not going to help Aiden. I don’t know what would help me. I remember one day turning up for a game and just not wanting to be there.”
The former England international also expressed his growing concern about the future and what will happen to his son in years to come. “The big concern now is, because you’re getting a bit older, what happens when you’re not here? That’s the thing that’s now on my mind all the time.”
While Scholes has stepped away from live punditry, he remains involved in football media through studio work and podcasts that give him more flexibility. The change allows him to stay connected to the sport he loves without compromising his responsibilities as a father.
“All I do now is stuff that fits around him. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about making sure his world stays steady.”
Scholes’ career as a pundit followed a glittering playing career in which he made over 700 appearances for Manchester United, winning 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies. Since his retirement in 2013, he had built a reputation as one of the most respected and insightful football analysts in England.
His decision to step back now marks the end of an era in his post-playing career and highlights his deep devotion to his family.