Paul Scholes quits football punditry to look after autistic son

Paul Scholes quits football punditry to look after autistic son.Paul Scholes is a footballing icon famed for his laser-sharp passing, unrivalled vision and dedication on the pitch has decided to step away from his established role in football punditry to embrace a new, deeply meaningful chapter of his life: caring full-time for his son. This decision marks a profound pivot from his public career to a quietly courageous commitment in the private sphere.

Paul Scholes quits football punditry to look after autistic son-Overview

Article on	Paul Scholes quits football punditry to look after autistic son
Reason for Quitting	To care full-time for his autistic son, Aiden
Who is Aiden Scholes	Paul Scholes’ 20-year-old son with severe non-verbal autism
Key Motivation	Maintaining Aiden’s daily routine and stability
Career Affected	Stepped back from football punditry roles
Family Support	Shares care duties with ex-wife, Claire Froggatt
Public Reaction	Praised for putting family before fame
Future Plans	May continue limited work around his son’s schedule
Core Message	Love, responsibility, and family come first

Why the decision?

Scholes has revealed that his son, Aiden Scholes, now around 20 years old, was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism early in life and that his daily wellbeing relies on a very consistent, structured routine. In a frank conversation on the podcast Stick to Football, Scholes explained that his choice to reduce his on-screen commitments was driven by a recognition that work schedules, especially those involving travel or late-night broadcasts were disrupting the routine his son requires.

And his statement is:-

“All the work I do now is just around his routines … he has quite a strict routine every single day, so I just decided everything I’m going to do is around Aiden.”

Routine, stability and the lives it shapes

One of the core challenges for families living with non-verbal autism especially where strict daily rhythms matter is that disruption can cause anxiety, distress or behavioural difficulties. Scholes describes this openly: his previous punditry role had him working Thursday nights covering games for Manchester United, which conflicted with his son’s typical time with him, and the change in pattern led to agitation and scratching/biting from his son.

To support his son’s sense of “knowing what day it is” even without recognising the calendar, Scholes outlines the kind of schedule they keep:

• Tuesday: pick-up, swimming, pizza on the way home.
• Thursday: something to eat, then home.
• Sunday: visit to Tesco where Aiden selects a “trolley full of chocolate”.

Footprint of his past – and courage in the present

Scholes is one of the most respected midfielders in English football history spending his entire professional playing career with Manchester United, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups and Champions Leagues. Yet the move into punditry and media later in his life ultimately took a back-seat when it became clear that his son’s needs demanded full attention. He has admitted the early years were tough, he recalls arriving at training with scratches and marks from nights when his son could not express his distress.

What this means moving forward

Though Scholes says he won’t vanish from the media entirely, he emphasises all his future work will revolve around his son’s needs. Studio work that doesn’t involve travel or late nights suits better. For him, it’s a recalibration: from the intensity of professional football and commentary to the pace, rhythm and deep rewards of familial care. It’s a choice few celebrities publicly make yet it stands as a reminder that behind every public persona lies a private life with its own trials and triumphs.

Final thoughts

Paul Scholes’ decision to step away from punditry to focus on his son is more than a career change. It’s an example of love in action, the kind that prioritises presence, routine and sacrifice above status or screens. It is a testament to the fact that sometimes the greatest goals in life are off-the-pitch: in consistency, compassion and the daily devotion to another human being.

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