Real privilege, says Strachan as he quits as Scotland manager
>> LONDON: Gordon Strachan has stepped down as Scotland manager following the team’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup, the Scottish Football Association announced on Thursday.
The SFA said Strachan and his assistant Mark McGhee would leave “with immediate effect” to give his successor maximum time to prepare for the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Scotland missed out on a place in the play-offs for t he World Cup after drawing 2-2 away to Slovenia in their final group game last Sunday.
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes is the early favourite to succeed Strachan with British bookmakers.
“I share the profound disappointment at missing out on the play-offs, especially having worked so hard to fight our way back into contention,” Strachan said. “The players should receive immense credit for that resilience in coming back from a difficult start and I would like to thank each and every player who has come in to represent their country.
“Together we have shared some really magical moments and those memories will live with me for ever.”
Former Scotland and Manchester United midfielder Strachan, 60, was appointed in January 2013 after Craig Levein was sacked following a poor start to World Cup qualifying. Scotland missed out on a place at the 2014 World Cup and despite an improved showing in qualifying for Euro 2016, they came up short again.
Strachan paid tribute to Scotland’s fans’ “unwavering support” and thanked his back-room staff and “everyone at the Scottish FA”.
He said the experience of managing the national team had been a “real privilege”.