In an emotional interview, Paul Scholes revealed that he stepped back from TV punditry to take care of his autistic son Aiden. The Manchester United legend opened up about the challenges and rewards associated with caring for him. Scholes, like many of his Man United teammates, has been in demand as a former player since his retirement in 2013 Scholes, 50, was a regular on TV coverage of domestic and European games. This season he has decided to concentrate on podcasting instead. Scholes, Scholes’ old teammate Gary Neville told Scholes on Stick to Football Scholes, a former midfielder, has given up most of his TV work to create a routine for Aiden. Aiden is non-verbal, and Scholes describes him as having’severe Autism’. Scholes was diagnosed at age two-and-a half. Scholes revealed to Neville, his co-hosts and the audience that all of his work revolves around Aiden. ‘He follows a pretty strict schedule every day so I decided I would do everything around him,’ Scholes said. Scholes revealed that he had separated from Claire Froggatt whom he married in 1998. Scholes also shared that Aiden’s parents spend ‘three night each’ with Aiden a week. Their son then spends Friday with Froggatt’s mother. Paul Scholes has revealed that he has stepped back from punditry to focus on his son Aiden The 20-year-old was diagnosed when he was two-and-a-half years old (pictured carried by Scholes)’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,’ Scholes continued.I pick him up from his daycare every Tuesday and we go swimming. We get him pizza on our way home. He loves swimming. Thursday pick him, go out to eat and go home. ‘Sunday, I pick him up from Claire’s house and we go to Tesco where he buys a trolley full of chocolate. So, he doesn’t know what day or time it is, but he knows from what we’re doing what day it is. He’ll be 21 in December.’ Scholes said that despite his diagnosis: “I think he knows a lot more than what we think.”‘He can make sounds, but only close friends will be able to understand what he says.Scholes found it rewarding to post small snapshots about his life and Aiden’s on social networking sites, after hearing from parents that this can “help” in difficult times. Scholes, who shares three kids with Froggatt said it was the worst in the beginning of his diagnosis. Scholes often showed up to training at Carrington covered in bite marks or scratches that Aiden gave his father because of frustration over not being understood. Scholes continued, “I never had a break, even when I was playing.” It was hard back then, it feels like years ago. Scholes also revealed on the podcast that he has separated from his wife Claire Froggatt The 50-year-old was, until this year, a regular fixture pitchside on punditry duty for television But now the former midfielder is focusing on the flexibility of his own podcast alongside Paddy McGuinness and old team-mate Nicky Butt’I don’t think (doctors) diagnosed it until they were 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. Then all of a sudden you start seeing everything, I don’t know if it just consciously happens, I don’t know. ‘I remember the first time after we were playing Derby away and I just didn’t want to be there. I remember the manager dropped me the week after actually, and I hadn’t told anyone (about the diagnosis). I told them a few months later because it was hard.Scholes was adamant, however that he doesn’t want sympathy. However, he stressed that his concern is what will happen to Froggatt and his son if they are not around. Scholes reassured the co-hosts, “Don’t worry, he may be happy to an extent that is untrue. But it brings you pleasure and joy. It’s not all negative.” The former player then shared a story of Aiden’s toothache, and how he was unable to understand it. Scholes said that for now he’s content to put Aiden first, and his career will fit in wherever it can. The launch of his new podcast with former team-mate Nicky Butt, The Good, The Bad & The Football It has also allowed him to be more focused on his son. Scholes confirms that he does studio work but his entire day is centered around him. ‘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 so I had the chance to do the podcast and I thought that would suit me more, well not me, Aiden.’
2025-10-30 08:19:45
Man United and England legend Paul Scholes QUITS television punditry work to care for his non-verbal autistic son, 20, as he confirms he’s split from wife Claire after years of silence
