GORDON STRACHAN HAS left his role as manager of the Scottish national team by ‘mutual consent’, the Scottish FA have confirmed.
The decision was taken during a meeting held today, after Strachan’s Scotland failed to qualify for the second successive major tournament of his tenure. The 60-year-old was not present at the meeting, which was scheduled prior to the conclusion of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Scotland finished third in their qualification group after a 2-2 draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana, where a victory would have been enough to secure a play-off for Strachan’s men.
The Scots have not featured in a major tournament since the World Cup in France 19 years ago.
A statement released by the Scottish FA, which also confirmed that Strachan’s assistant coach Mark McGhee would be departing the national team setup, expressed the nation’s disappointment at another botched qualification opportunity, but praised Strachan for clawing Scotland back to the brink of a playoff spot after a poor start to their campaign.
Strachan was quoted in the same statement as saying: “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.
“I share the profound disappointment at missing out on the play-offs, especially having worked so hard to fight our way back into contention.
Together we have shared some magical moments and those memories will live with me forever.
BREAKING NEWS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 12, 2017
Gordon Strachan has left his position as Scotland manager. More on @SkySportsNews. pic.twitter.com/WwCoK4e1el
Scotland’s search for “fresh impetus” will now begin in earnest, with former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay an early favourite with the bookies.
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