SFA tells Gordon Strachan to carry on as Scotland manager

Gordon Strachan to set to continue as Scotland coach despite their miserable start to the World Cup qualifying campaign. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire

The eight-man board gathered at Hampden on Thursday to discuss the national coach’s future.

Despite Scotland taking just four points from their opening four World Cup qualifying fixtures, Strachan has been given the green light to continue and has the unanimous backing of the board.

A statement released by the SFA said: “The Board of the Scottish FA today considered the performance of the Scotland Men’s A squad so far in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifying campaign.

“As part of this review, the National Coach, Gordon Strachan, provided his feedback on the campaign and his views on the team’s prospects in 2017.

“Following the review, the decision has been taken to continue to support Gordon Strachan and his staff.”

The Scots have lost their last two games 3-0, away to Slovakia and England, prompting speculation that Strachan might choose to walk away.

However, he said in a statement: “We were all extremely disappointed with the result on Friday night but having reflected on our performance, I still believe we can get ourselves back into contention in the group.

“There are still 18 points to play for and the players, the staff and I, as in previous games, will give everything we have to turn things around.

“I have said consistently that our fans deserve success and a return to a major tournament finals.

“Although we have had a difficult start to the campaign, I firmly believe that this group of players, together with our supporters, can maximise our chances of a play-off place, starting with the home match against Slovenia in March.”

Stewart Regan, the Scottish FA chief executive, added: “The Board have considered the team’s performance since the start of the campaign and subsequently discussed the disappointing points total after four matches.

“Gordon shared the disappointment of the Board and, of course, the fans. He is adamant, however, that we can recover the position and believes a play-off place still to be attainable.

“The Board are convinced that he still has the hunger for this challenge and we have four home qualifiers in 2017 to rejuvenate our campaign.

“We support Gordon unanimously in improving our qualification prospects.”

However, speaking earlier on Thursday, Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee said he would be amazed if Strachan did not stay on.

McGhee said: “I will be amazed if he doesn’t, I will be amazed if he doesn’t. Because in the week leading up to the game I know his appetite was full.

“It showed in the performance, that he got his message across and the boys responded and played very, very well. He is entitled to go into the next games and see if we can improve on the results.”

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