Pulis: Potters wanted Scholes

Published Jun. 3, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

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The 36-year-old chose to retire with immediate effect on Tuesday and take up a coaching role at Old Trafford. United may have offered him another one-year extension to continue his playing career anyway but, if not, Pulis would have jumped at the opportunity to sign the former England midfielder. "If he'd been available, there's no question I'd have been interested in taking him," he told The Sentinel. "I think there would have been quite a few of us in the Premier League wanting to take someone of his experience and quality. "So from that point of view it's a shame he's decided to retire now because I'm sure there was plenty of fuel left in the tank. "But no-one knows that decision better than the player himself and so you have to respect it." Scholes made 677 appearances for United, winning 17 major trophies while earning 66 caps for England before retiring from international duty in 2004. "He's been one of the great Premier League players for me," Pulis added. "To play nearly 700 times at the top like he has speaks volumes for his ability and the way he's conducted himself. "The only disappointment was his decision to retire from international football when he did."