One of the bargain signings of all time, Gordon Strachan was picked
up from Manchester United by Howard Wilkinson and was instrumental in
the side winning promotion and - just two years later - the
title. After a fantastic career at Aberdeen, in which he'd picked up a
Championship medal in 1980 and again in 1984, 3 Scottish Cup medals, a
European Cup-Winners Cup medal and the Player of the Year award, he
joined Manchester United. He cemented his place as a regular in the
Scottish national side in the early 1980s, but by 1989 he wasn't
getting on with the management and at the age of 31, found his future
prospects limited at Old Trafford. The move to Leeds followed and the
rest is history.
He was voted in as Footballer of the Year in 1991 as Leeds
consolidated in their first season back in the top flight, and the
following season he topped it all by lifting the Championship as
captain of Leeds.
There was talk of him being lined up to succeed Wilko, but when no
firm dates were set, he decided to seek a challenge that would lead to
management, and so joined Coventry to work with Ron Atkinson - but
found himself required to provide some inspiration on the pitch
despite being twice the age of many of his team-mates. He was soon in
sole charge, and for several seasons managed to stave off the
inevitable, finally failing to keep the Sky Blues in the Premier
League in 2000-01. Despite the relegation, he has stayed on to try to
get them back into the top flight, but after a poor start to the
2001-02 season and "adverse comment" from the terraces, he parted
company with the club "by mutual consent".
He wasn't out of management for long - taking over at Southampton
who were struggling after moving to their new ground. After a slightly
shaky start, it looks like Strachan is turning the club around a bit
and he's dragged them clear of immediate relegation danger, winning a
Manager of the Month award for his achievements in January 2002.
Richard Chandler says: Mr Craig's Club 1991/2. Went for a piss -
heard scottish type accent stuff -looked up - Gordon one side, Garry
Mac the other - couldnt piss - very embarrassing! Come back - ready
break man.
kevin mcfadden says: Gordon Strachan should be leeds manager next
season
"Ivor Biggun" says: He was great at Manchester United! The shirt
matched his hair! ;-)
Damo Byrne says: Now's the time for Gordon Strachan to become Leeds
Utd manager, the man's Leeds Utd through and through. Do it for Leeds
Gordon!
Rab says: Strachan will come to save us, we need him. Smith, Viduka
and co can go for all I care as long as Gordon comes home.
John Orford says: Gordon Strachan has done wonders for Southampton
-- you can beat 'em but never run 'em ragged. Good organisation and
discipine, like the player. He could lift Leeds back if there's money
-- he would be a great succcessr to Sir Alex one day.
ricky wilson says: any1 remember this? der nun dun dun der dun,
der nun dun dun der dun, der der da dada der der da dada. woa
way!!!!!! yes!!!!! add comment if u know hat i mean
,p>mikey says: sorry leeds fans i really hope you stay up but wee
strach should come home and that is hibernian fc his 1st love mikey
the hibee
Pitlochry Hibee says: Gordon will hopefully see Hibs as a good move
in his recuperation and head home to Easter Road
sean says: met him in a bar in spain with his wife. lovely
man. would welcome him back to lufc anytime
john says: ive heard the wee man played 2 games for a junior outfit
called newtongrange star(in midlothian) when he was only 15 or 16 is
there any truth in what ive heard
Ste says: Up like a shot-Salute the wee scot-We remember Gordon -
looked like a traffic warden, used to be a Scummer - which is abit of
a bummer but he was super Leeds and showed in his deeds that he was
'no silly!'- brought back memories of Billy. The opposition would
hack, but ignore it would Strach and from the start he played with
heart, wore it on his sleeve and tried to achieve, great things with
us, Elland Road buzzed - Although he was ginger he fought like a
ninja, adequate on either foot-lively on the ball - despite bein just
3 feet tall. If anyone can-Gordon Strachan can! A true Super Leeds
man!
jack says: i met him at a book signing around about 10 years ago.
Richard Ross says: I once played in a golf tournament with the
Aberdeen and Dundee United teams (I played against Alex Ferguson). I
remember watching Gordon hit his first tee shot, an absolute
cracker. He took golf nearly as seriously as his football. A great
servant for his beloved Aberdeen. One of Aberdeen's greatest players
ever.
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