Gordon Strachan poised for Scotland job – reports

GORDON Strachan will succeed Craig Levein as the next manager of Scotland, according to reports last night.

The 55-year-old former Celtic manager was said to have struck a deal with the SFA and is expected to have the appointment confirmed within the next 48 hours. It was reported that the former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Scotland midfielder could be in Glasgow today to formally accept the job.

It would bring to an end a two-and-a-half-month wait for Levein’s successor after he was relieved of his duties on 5 November after a defeat in Belgium that leaves the Scots bottom of World Cup qualifying Group A.

Strachan’s first job in charge would be the friendly against Estonia at Pittodrie on 6 February before being tasked with salvaging some respectability from the already seemingly doomed bid to reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The former Coventry, Southampton and Celtic boss, who won three league titles and earned qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League while at Parkhead, has been out of football since leaving Middlesbrough by mutual consent in October 2011.

Strachan was capped 50 times by Scotland and played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals.

Billy Stark has been in interim charge of the national team since the departure of Levein, who is now in a legal dispute with the SFA over his removal. Strachan had been out on his own as favourite for the past two months, and in November confirmed his interest in the vacancy to ITV. “It’s quite simple really,” he said. “it would be an honour to be asked to be the manager of your own national side. It’s terrific.

“I could sit here and say yes, it would be great, or no, it’s not for me, but it would also be arrogant of me to answer that if nobody has asked you and presume that someone will ask. Until you’ve been asked a question about a job, any job, then you really don’t know how you’d go about it, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t have the arrogance to think that someone is going to knock on my door.”

Strachan was overlooked for the Scotland job after the sacking of Berti Vogts in 2004, with the SFA opting for Walter Smith instead.

Last week both former Scotland international David Weir and Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay insisted that, at least on this occasion, the appointee had to be a Scot. Weir said that Strachan would be an excellent choice for the post, although he did refuse to commit himself when asked if that meant he would be the best candidate.

“I think he’d definitely be up there,” he said. “But there are a lot of great candidates. Working with Walter [Smith] and seeing what he has done, I think he’s a great candidate. He’s been over the distance before. Alex McLeish is similar, although he’s taken a job now. Gordon Strachan has the pedigree and success as a manager. There are several great candidates,”

The following day, Mackay also said a home candidate should be appointed, “I don’t believe he must be a Scot, but, at the moment, I believe the next manager should be a Scot,” he said. “You’ve seen the list of candidates that we’ve got and I think there’s enough talent there to choose from so our game can thrive.”

Asked who he would like to see getting the job, Mackay answered: “A Scot. There’s a good list of candidates there.”

Earlier this week Lars Lagerback admitted there had been no contact from the SFA. “It would be a nice job,” said the Swede, who is currently in charge of Iceland. “But I’m not sure the Icelandic FA would want to release me from this job, and I’m fully focused on what I’m doing there.”

Through all the speculation the SFA maintained a discreet silence. Since parting company with Levein it insisted it would take its time to ensure the right appointment.

When Strachan is confirmed as the next national manager, the governing body can be confident that the majority of Scotland fans will agree that they have made the correct choice.