Scots eye Moyes as Gordon goes
DAVID MOYES has been installed as favourite to become the new Scotland manager after the departure of Gordon Strachan.
Four days after Scotland failed to qualify for the playoffs for next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia, Strachan and his No2 Mark McGhee have stepped down with immediate effect.
Former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland manager Moyes, right, has been out of football since he left the Stadium of Light in the summer after the club were relegated from the Premier League.
Alex McLeish, who was Scotland manager for 10 games in 2007, the SFA’s technical director Malky Mackay, former Wolves boss Paul Lambert and Chelsea No2 Steve Clarke have also been linked with the position.
Strachan, 60, said not leading Scotland to a major finals was his biggest regret, with the 2-2 draw in Slovenia ending their hopes of making a first World Cup since 1998.
“I said on my first day as Scotland manager that it was the proudest moment of my career and that I wanted to put a smile back on the nation’s face again,” said Strachan.
“I share the great disappointment at missing out on the play-offs, especially having worked so hard to fight our way back into contention. 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.”
Strachan was appointed as Craig Levein’s successor in January 2013 and stepped in midway through the 2014 World Cup campaign. He took the team into the European Championship qualifiers but Scotland were the only Home Nation not to make it through to France last summer. Strachan and his team went even closer in this campaign, putting together a six-game unbeaten run that included a battling 2-2 draw with England. SFA president Alan McRae said after the meeting: “There is always some disappointment, but at the end of the day, that’s it. It’s a new era.” But Scotland captain Scott Brown believes the SFA have made the wrong call in deciding to replace Strachan. He posted on Instagram: “Sad sad sad day. We all had faith in Gordon and believed in making the Euros. 14 points out of 18 in 2017, momentum was on our side.” Former Scotland captain Graeme Souness feels his former international colleague had taken the side as far as he could.
He said: “It’s sad we didn’t qualify from what was a relatively easy group. Had we qualified or at least got second, he would have stayed and looked forward possibly to the next Euros.
“As a national manager you can only pick what’s out there and Scotland don’t have a fabulous group to pick from.
“I would not criticise Gordon because he did a good job with what he had to work with.”