This week’s edition of Stick to Football was a truly emotional one, with Paul Scholes explaining why he has taken a step back from football punditry to have more time for his son Aiden.
Scholes’ youngest son will be 21 in December and requires constant care as he struggles with autism.
Recommended
Manchester United legend Scholes revealed that Aiden had not been diagnosed with the condition until he was two-and-a-half years old, and that it had led to difficult periods during his playing career.
Scholes said that Aiden is non-verbal and that he has decided to step away from TV punditry duties to have more time to be with his son, who he co-parents with his ex-wife Claire.
“Everything I’m going to do now just works around him,” Scholes said.
“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.”
It was a powerful episode, with Scholes’ love for his son abundantly clear, and his ex-teammates Roy Keane and Gary Neville giving him heartfelt support alongside Ian Wright and Jill Scott.
There was one particularly moving moment between Scholes and Keane, when the Irishman gave his former midfield partner some comforting words after a particularly gut-wrenching admission from Scholes.
READ HERE: Roy Keane Reveals Chat With Ireland Star That Sums Up Big Issue With Modern Midfielders
READ HERE: At Long Last, Shamrock Rovers’ Vintage League Title Has Been Secured
Paul Scholes and Roy Keane shared nice moment on Stick to Football
(The interaction between Roy Keane and Paul Scholes occurs 21 minutes into the podcast.)
In one of the toughest moments of this week’s Stick to Football, Paul Scholes admitted that he spends lots of time worrying about what will happen to his son Aiden when he is “not here” anymore.
Scholes said that he had not spoken about the matter publicly because he believed it would not help Aiden, and shared his fear for what the future would look like for his son.
Yeah, and I would do now. Unless somebody asked me about something. I don’t want any sympathy or anything.
You never know [what people are going through].
I even thought, if I did speak to somebody, it’s not going to help Aiden, you know what I mean? I don’t think it would. I don’t know what would help.
The big concern now, because you’re getting a bit older, 50 years of age, he’s 20…what happens when you’re not here? That’s the thing that’s on my mind now all the time.
The truly vulnerable admission brought a quiet moment of reassurance from Roy Keane beside him.
“Don’t look that far ahead, Scholesy man,” Keane replied.
“Day at a time, I’m serious. We all look too far ahead.”
Though he may have a stern exterior, it’s the kind of moment we have seen from Keane on several occasions in the past, including emotional moments with former Manchester United teammates Andy Cole and Gary Neville.
Paul Scholes’ interview on Stick to Football is truly powerful viewing, and you can watch the full episode here.
SEE ALSO: The Last Call: Despite The Heartbreak, Niall Quinn Had Incredible Perspective On Final Ireland Cap
