STEVE Evans is thought to have emerged as a possible front-runner to take over from Paul Scholes at Latics.

The former Manchester United man cut short his first managerial job after just 31 days, with a host of names in the frame to become owner Abdallah Lemsagam’s fourth permanent manager in less than 18 months.

The vastly-experienced Evans is out of work, having been sacked by Peterborough earlier this year.

With more than 900 games under his belt, the Scot has enjoyed success in management, taking Crawley Town up into League One and guiding Rotherham to back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship.

Though he has not enjoyed the same success since then in his spells at Leeds, Mansfield and Peterborough, Evans could provide Latics with a degree of stability after Scholes’ surprise resignation.

The ex-England midfielder is believed to have quit via text message to Lemsagam, with interference from the owner thought to be behind his decision to leave the club he has always supported. He had been appointed on an 18-month contract and won his first game in charge but three points from the next 18 means Oldham sit mid-table in League Two on his departure.

“In the short period since I took on the role it unfortunately became clear I would not be able to operate as I intended and was led to believe,” he said.

The chairman later responded to those suggestions, in a statement on the official website.

“Myself and the staff at the club gave Paul all the support and autonomy that he asked for,” it read. “I personally was always supportive of any decisions Paul made or consulted me on reassuring him that he was the man in charge.

“I continued to encourage him despite the results and reassured him that his job was secure. Paul and I both agreed that there is potential but I reassured him that he had my full backing to rebuild the team of his choice next season. He did not raise any concerns at all about the team or any other matters informally or formally, prior to his resignation.

“He gave no opportunity or indications that he needed to address any issues at all.”

Pete Wild, who also took the reins after Scholes’ predecessor Frankie Bunn’s sacking, was due to take the team for last Saturday’s League Two game at home to Tranmere.

That game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and will now be played on Tuesday, April 2.