McLeish ‘honoured’ to be back in Scotland hotseat
ALEX McLEISH has been appointed as the new Scotland manager on a deal until 2020.
Hampden chiefs have spent the best part of four months searching for Gordon Strachan’s replacement but have now returned to the 59-year-old after seeing first-choice Michael O’Neill knock back their offer.
McLeish – who had a successful 10-game stint in charge of the side back in 2007 – travelled to Glasgow on Wednesday to meet the SFA board and impressed enough to get unanimous backing.
The final details of the two-year contract were thrashed out yesterday and McLeish will now set about preparing the squad for next month’s friendly clashes with Costa Rica and Hungary.
His first competitive action, though, will not take place until September’s inaugural Nations League clash with Albania.
McLeish described his return to the role he vacated in November 2007 as a “tremendous honour”.
In a statement released by the Scottish Football Association, McLeish added: “I am incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to lead my country already and I am immensely proud to be in this position for a second time.”
McLeish replaces his former Scotland and Aberdeen team-mate, Strachan, who lost his job after the nation’s exile from a major tournament passed the 20-year mark.
He said: “There is much to be positive about in Scottish football, with players playing at the highest level and promising talent breaking through.
“With Hampden Park as one of the host venues for Euro 2020 we have an amazing opportunity to showcase our talents to the world from our own back yard. I am relishing the challenge of leading us to a major tournament and I cannot wait to get started.”
McLeish has been appointed 127 days after Strachan departed and only after Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill rejected the chance to take charge.
But SFA president Alan McRae insists the governing body has made the right choice.
McRae said: “It is a rarity to be in a position to appoint someone who has experience of successfully managing their country and we are delighted to reach an agreement with Alex.
“During the recruitment process he received resounding endorse-ments from several influential figures in the game which helped establish him as an outstanding choice from a strong list of possible candidates.”
The appointment of the former Hibernian, Rangers, Birmingham and Aston Villa boss concludes the long, drawn-out hunt for Strachan’s successor.
Northern Ireland manager O’Neill was quickly identified as the man the SFA wanted to guide Scotland towards Euro 2020 but it was forced to return to the drawing board when he decided to stay put.
Walter Smith also emerged as a contender for the job in recent weeks but later withdrew from the race.
That opened the door for McLeish to make his return management two years after leaving his last posting with Egyptian outfit Zamalek.