FERGUSON
Scotland job is not toxic
THE way some people are talking you’d think the Scotland manager’s job was a poisoned chalice.
Let’s knock that notion on the head right away – the Scotland job is a great gig.
And despite all the misery this week after missing out on the World Cup play-offs I am optimistic about the future.
It’s no real surprise Gordon Strachan has gone. He’s had almost five years at it and a couple of failed campaigns.
Gordon might have felt he has taken it as far as he could and the SFA might have agreed. Maybe it was time to go their separate ways and let someone else have a go.
A period of rebuilding is going to be needed as a few of the older players will probably call it a day – but it’s not all doom and gloom.
There is a lot to be positive about for the new man coming in, no matter who it is.
This new UEFA Nations League format for a start. It might take three hours to work out but it effectively means we have two bites of the cherry when it comes to qualifying for the Euros.
It’s a great opportunity for the new Scotland boss. He will also be inheriting some very good players.
I firmly believe we’ve got the best two full-backs in the UK in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.
I’d take those two over anything England, Wales and Northern Ireland have to offer as well as the Republic.
We also have a top-class striker in Leigh Griffiths who has taken his game to a whole new level in the last year. Chuck in the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Callum McGregor, John McGinn and some promising Under-21s and the new manager has the chance to have a decent stab at the Euros.
I wouldn’t have been against Gordon continuing in the job but it’s fair enough to make a change. Listen, I don’t mind Gordon. There are some decisions he made I didn’t quite get though. He was a little too faithful to some players, which is maybe understandable at times but there are occasions when you need to be willing to change things.
We all know he took too long to bring in Griffiths. And everyone was screaming out for the likes of McGregor and McGinn in Slovenia – the team badly needed energy and they were the ones to provide it.
People can talk about Scotland being tired from the Thursday but correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t Slovenia play against England on the same night?
The English had 70 per cent possession at Wembley so they would have been shattered as well.
It sounded like a bit of an excuse. I know some people jumped on the genetics thing but I didn’t read too much into it to be honest. We all
know Gordon likes to make these throwaway comments at times and that was another.
It didn’t come across that well but it had nothing to do with the decision to part ways.
It has been down to the overall picture in the last two campaigns.
They have underachieved. I look at this Scotland squad and no one can tell me we don’t have the players to beat the likes of Slovenia and at least get to the play-offs. Of course we do. But it’s up to the new man in charge to bring through some of the youngsters and get us playing in a way that helps us win games. That’s what it’s all about.
Who should it be? Hands up, I don’t have a clue.
You look at the likes of Alex McLeish. He’ll be mentioned and if my old gaffer has a couple of younger coaches in there alongside him I’ve no doubt he can do a job.
It will be interesting to see if Paul Lambert fancies it. I got the feeling from him he wants another crack at club management but it might be a different story when your country comes calling. Then there’s David Moyes. He’s an interesting one.
Davie did a phenomenal job at Everton and is obviously a top manager. It didn’t work out for him at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland so he might like the idea of trying his hand at being a national manager.
Malky Mackay is on the SFA books and has an important role overseeing this revamp of the youth set-up.
But could he be moved into the top job? It might be tempting for him and he has plenty of experience.
There are a few options and you’d like to think the SFA will think outside the box as well.
I just hope the new man will be willing to take a few risks, pitch in some of the youngsters and let them learn on the job.
There might be a few dunts along the way but we will be stronger on the back of it.
Scotland have no competitive games until September so the SFA have plenty of time.
I just hope they use it wisely because they can’t afford to get this wrong.