Strachan could be an all-American hero, says McGhee
MARK McGHEE has discovered the perfect job in management — for his former colleague Gordon Strachan.
The ex-Motherwell boss is intent that his own days in the dugout are over, so revolted was he by the SFA suspension that brought such a sour end to his second stint at Fir Park.
However, he fully expects that Strachan will be back in the game as a manager either at the top level in England or coaching another international team. And he believes that national team should be the United States.
Strachan, 61, was linked to the Birmingham City job last month before Garry Monk took over but McGhee is sure his great friend will be thinking a grade above the Championship for his next post — or further afield.
USA have been under the interim guidance of Dave Sarachan since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals and won’t make a permanent appointment until the summer.
‘I couldn’t see Gordon throwing himself in at (Birmingham) level,’ said McGhee, speaking as he promoted Ladbrokes Golf Darts game at this weekend’s Scottish Golf Show in Glasgow.
‘He would be looking at higher than that. It’s not impossible that another international job might interest him and suit him. I’ve not had this discussion with Gordon, but I look at the USA job and think he’s perfect for it.
‘I wouldn’t rule Gordon out from returning to management. If the right opportunity came up, I think he would consider it.’
McGhee, dumped as technical director at Barnet last week, is free to pursue a variety of football consultant projects and more media work.
The job at League Two strugglers Barnet was a strange one from when he started last November. The manager he was hired to mentor, Rossi Eames, decided to step down.
That left McGhee in charge for two months until Graham Westley became the boss in January and the Scot returned to an overseeing role.
Westley and McGhee were fired last Monday as Barnet opted to employ Martin Allen for the fifth time.