According to Fabio Capello, quoted in The Independent newspaper, Paul Scholes was **this** close to being selected for the England World Cup squad this summer, but Scholes — says the England boss — declined the offer because he wanted to stay with his family.
So where will Scholes be this summer with his family? The answer is the United States. And, more specifically, Florida. Scholes is coming Stateside this summer to participate in the Paul Scholes Academy, for boys and girls from ages 8 to 18. While England will be competing in the World Cup in South Africa, Paul Scholes will be participating in four-day sessions June 14-17 at Austin-Tindall Park in Kissimmee, near Orlando. If you live in the States and you have a child who plays soccer, this is one of those chance of a lifetime opportunities to be coached by one of the best English midfielders of all time.
After contacting the academy organizers, Midwest Soccer Academy, I was able to glean more information about the Paul Scholes Academy. “I think [Paul] knows he can’t play forever and this is something that really interests him and he has a heart for,” said Academy staff member Will Russell. “He will be present every day, for every session working with the kids.” Much of the staff is from Europe. Plus, Scholes will be joined by up-and-coming British manager Simon Davey who is football manager for Darlington after previously being the gaffer at Barnsley.
Players are grouped based on age with the opportunity to appropriately move up based on skill level.
Scholes recently signed a contract extension with Manchester United which will keep him at the club for another season. When you look back at his career, it’s incredible to consider that he’s made more than 500 appearances for United, scoring over 100 goals, and has been at the Old Trafford club for his whole career since signing for United as a trainee in 1991. Few modern day English footballers have made such an impact on the game as Scholes, so it’s an honor to have a player of his magnitude spending four days in America this summer to coach young children.
As a courtesy to EPL Talk readers, Midwest Soccer Academy is offering a $100 discount if you register your child before May 31. All you have to do is use the promo code ‘Sch100’ on the registration page on the Paul Scholes Academy website. According to academy organizers, space is limited so I would encourage you to register soon so you don’t miss this golden opportunity to see a football legend and have your child coached by him.
