SFA: WE WERE GOING NOWHERE WITH McLEISH
Scotland boss had to go, says SFA chief Ian Maxwell
IAN MAXWELL last night admitted Alex McLeish had to go after 13 months of underachievement. The SFA chief executive confirmed the departure of the national coach having held extensive talks with the 60-year-old and concluded the squad had not progressed during his second spell at the helm. Maxwell confessed the 3-0 loss to Kazakhstan last las month had delivered the th final blow to McLeish aas Hampden chiefs began the hunt for a new bosboss to lead the squad into the Euro 2020 tieties against Cyprus and Belgium in June. A temporary appoint appointment ment could be mad made
for that end-of-season double header to give Maxwell time to weigh up all available options – with Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill an obvious candidate to step in as caretaker.
Gemmill also has hopes of landing the job on a more permanent basis but no decision will be taken until Maxwell draws up a shortlist and presents it to the board, possibly as soon as next week.
It’s understood there was little resistance to the decision to remove McLeish from the frontline.
Maxwell said: “The decision to part company was not an easy one, especially given Alex’s status as a Scotland Hall of Fame member, earning 77 caps, played in three World Cups and taken charge of the national team for two spells.
“It was only taken after full consideration by the board and after an honest and respectful conversation between myself and Alex earlier in the week.
“Ultimately the performances and results as a whole in the past year, and in particular the manner of the defeat in Kazakhstan, did not indicate the progress expected with a squad we believe to be capable of achieving more.
“With that in mind it was agreed we would seek to recruit a new management team to take us forward for the remainder of European qualifying campaign.
“I would like to pay tribute to Alex for the good grace with which he has accepted the decision and for remaining unstinting in his support of the team for the remainder of the campaign. It befits his status as a Scotland legend and Hall of Fame inductee.
“We firmly believe we have the potential to recover from the opening group defeat and unlock the potential of this exciting squad of players for the remainder of the campaign, safe in the knowledge we also have the play-offs as an additional route to Euro 2020.”
Maxwell confirmed that McLeish’s backroom team Peter Grant, James McFadden and Stevie Woods were also axed.
McLeish said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to have managed my country for a second time and leave knowing I gave my all in the pursuit of success.
“I am proud together we finished top of our UEFA Nations League group and qualified for the Euro 2020 play-offs.
“I am also pleased to have given many younger players a first taste of international football that will stand them, and the country, in good stead for the future.
“I would like to thank those players who showed a passion for wearing the dark blue, my assistants, Peter, James and Stevie, for their contribution over the past year. I would like to thank the Scotland fans for their unwavering support of the team and look forward to taking my place among them in the future.”
Gemmill is among the early front runners and the SFA are believed to be keen on the idea of attempting to replicate what Gareth Southgate has achieved with England since being promoted from the Under-21s.
But he could face stiff opposition if Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes or Kilmarnock’s Steve Clarke show any interest.
Bookies have included Gordon Strachan in the running but Record Sport understands he remains cool on the idea of a return.
Former Croatia boss Slaven Bilic has also been mentioned but is unlikely to be considered after ruling himself out 13 months ago before McLeish got the job.