Strachan named as Scotland manager

The Scottish Football Association have confirmed Gordon Strachan as their new manager, replacing Craig Levein.

Levein was sacked in November by the SFA, and will be replaced by the former Celtic and Middlesbrough manager, who was capped 50 times by the Scots.

Strachan makes his first return to management since leaving Middlesbrough in October 2010 by mutual consent.

“I am extremely proud to be appointed as Scotland National Coach,” he told the Scottish FA’s official website.

“There is a considerable challenge ahead in the World Cup qualifying campaign but we can take those first steps towards addressing that in the double header against Wales at Hampden and the visit to Serbia in March.

“Next month’s match against Estonia will give me an opportunity to assess the squad and, of course, it will be an unforgettable experience walking out as Scotland National Coach at Pittodrie, a stadium that holds many special memories as a player.

“I can assure the supporters that I will do everything in my power to make sure we have a national team we can all be proud of and one that, in time, can experience the excitement of participating in a major championship finals once again.”

Levein had been in charge of Scotland for three years, and had made a poor start to their World Cup 2014 qualification campaign, leaving them bottom of their group with no wins.

He also presided over their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, when they finished third in their group, just two points away from the playoffs.

In response to Strachan’s appointment, Stewart Regan, chief executive of the Scottish FA said: “We are delighted to have appointed Gordon as the new Scotland National Coach.

“As a player, his style and swagger made him a huge favourite of the Scotland supporters and few can forget his celebration against West Germany in Mexico in 1986.

“As a manager, he has experience at the highest level in England and Scotland, most notably taking Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League.

“Within minutes of meeting Gordon to discuss the possibility, we were left in no doubt that he was the man to help rejuvenate our FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 qualifying campaign, starting with the March double header against Wales and Serbia.

“It is fitting that his first match as Scotland National Coach will be a return to Pittodrie, a venue that holds many dear memories, and I am sure the Scotland supporters will be out in force to give him a warm welcome.”