Richie Wellens: Oldham Athletic appoint caretaker boss as full-time manager

Richie Wellens made 90 appearances in two spells for Oldham as a player

Oldham Athletic have appointed Richie Wellens as manager on a two-year deal after a five-game spell as caretaker.

Wellens, 37, was put in charge after John Sheridan was sacked in September with the club bottom of League One.

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes recommended Wellens for the job and the former Latics midfielder has overseen a five-game unbeaten run.

"I would like Paul to be involved in the club somehow," Wellens told BBC Radio Manchester.

"He's a massive name and an Oldham supporter so if he would like to be involved, you'd be silly not to invite him in and see what he has to say and if he can help on the football side of things."

Scholes and former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf had both been linked with the job prior to Wellens' appointment.

The club took just four points from their opening nine games of the season but Wellens has won four of his five games in charge in all competitions, as well as a 1-1 draw against Bradford City on Tuesday.

"What started out to be a very hard decision ended up being an easy one," chairman Simon Corney said.

"Perhaps most telling was my conversation with Paul Scholes a few weeks ago, who told me that to look any further than Richie would be crazy."