PAUL Scholes retired from England duty “too early” because he hated being away from his family, his ex-manager claims.
The Man Utd legend called time on his Three Lions career following the 2004 European Championships in Portugal at the age of just 29.
Speaking to SunSport, former England gaffer Sven-Göran Eriksson has revealed why Scholes decided to hang up his boots.
Eriksson said: “The day after (we lost) in Portugal, 2004 he came into my room and said ‘Sven, I am quitting.’
“‘What do you mean?’ I asked. And he said he didn’t want to play for England anymore.
“It had nothing to do with England. He was and is a family man and he didn’t want to be without his wife and children for a long time.”
Eriksson tried to convince Scholes that he was still an important part of his plans moving forward.
The Swedish tactician, now 74, offered the midfielder the opportunity to change his mind.
However, Scholes would not be moved.
Eriksson continued: “I told him before I pick the next squad for the national team I will come to see you. ‘You are welcome’, he said. ‘But I won’t change my mind.’
“I went to see him and he didn’t change his mind! And that was a pity. because he finished too early with the national team. He was still a very good player.”
Scholes played 66 times for his country and scored 14 goals.
But, the perfectionist was critical of his own performances for England.
He would continue to play for the Red Devils until 2013, before he finally announced his retirement from the game.
