Pulis has revealed he would have offered the 36-year-old a deal if he had decided to carry on playing next season.
Scholes is set to take up a coaching role at Old Trafford after deciding to retire with immediate effect on Tuesday.
“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.”
“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.”
