Gordon Strachan

Biography

Gordon Strachan was one of the most highly respected players of his generation, winning countless honours on both sides of the border with Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds as well as representing his country at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

After ending his playing career at Coventry City, Gordon took up a coaching position under Ron Atkinson and eventually succeeded him as boss. The Highfield Road club battled for years to remain in the Premiership under Strachan's leadership before they were relegated after losing their best players Robbie Keane and Gary McAllister.

Gordon was then appointed manager of Southampton when he led the club to the FA Cup Final. He then moved to Celtic, where after a difficult start he led the team to league victory. He repeated the feat the next season, and also oversaw their progression to the quarter finals of the Champions’ League for the first time since the competition changed format. He brought another Scottish League championship the following season before leaving the club. After a spell at Middlesborough he returned to Scotland but this time to the manage the national side. Widely seen as a huge challenge, Gordon oversaw qualifying campaigns for both Euro and World Cup competitions, but in both cases the Scots narrowly failed to qualify and he left the national set up.