OLBG Exclusive Interview with Gordon Strachan

Defining the life and career of Gordon Strachan OBE, a monumental figure in Scottish football, is like unravelling an engaging novel filled with thrilling chapters. Born on 9th February 1957, Strachan has carved his legacy, both as a brilliant football coach and an extraordinary player. This article explores Strachan's illustrious journey through the realms of football, his career-defining moments, and the influence he continues to hold in the world of football."

Career

Gordon Strachan's football career took off with his senior debut in 1974 with Dundee, before impressing at Aberdeen where he won numerous domestic and European honours. Amid his successful international career with the Scotland national team, he also shone within the English football scene, making notable contributions at 

Manchester United and Leeds United. 

In 1996, Strachan transitioned to a coaching role, serving first as an assistant manager at Coventry City, before taking over as the head coach. His successful stint at Coventry Subsequently led to managerial roles at clubs like Southampton, Celtic and Middlesbrough.

Legacy

His football philosophy, relentless drive for success and unwavering commitment to the sport, have endeared him to fans around the world. Not only has he left an indelible mark as a player, but his contributions as a manager have also been significant. 

Undoubtedly, Gordon Strachan's phenomenal journey from a player to a respected manager is inspirational. His name will forever be etched in the annals of football history. His life stands as a testament to the fact that with unwavering determination, ceaseless passion, and the right attitude, one can scale the heights in any field.

So whether it's on the pitch or along the sidelines, Strachan's influence goes beyond borders, proving him as one of the influential figures in the world of football. 

Interview March 2024

Gordon Strachan for OLBG: Man Utd stars who can’t handle the pressure need to go, Red Devils should leave Old Trafford and move on from Sir Alex, Daniel Farke isn’t Championship manager of the season

Former Manchester United midfielder Gordon Strachan has told his former side to build a new stadium and stop living on old memories and compared Alejandro Garnacho to a young Wayne Rooney, all in an exclusive interview with OLBG.

The ex-Scotland manager has also admitted that the pressure is on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race and admitted he can remember Paul Pogba’s Instagram posts but not any of his performances at Old Trafford.

Strachan has also admitted that Michael Carrick’s name will only go so far when it comes to his managerial career and told United to move on from Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements.

The former Leeds man has also explained why Daniel Farke is not his Championship manager of the season and admitted that he ignored the media to avoid seeing criticism during his time in the dugout.

How far are Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United from a Premier League title challenge?

GS: “When I watch Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and even clubs like Brighton, they have an intensity that Manchester United don’t have.

“During the Liverpool vs Man City game the other day I picked out nine City players that look like they would get in any team in the league, but then the drive of Liverpool levelled things out.

“With United, although there are individual moments of brilliance like Marcus Rashford's goal against Man City, they never blow anybody away with intensity, drive and fitness.

“That comes from leaders in the team and in the dressing room, pushing themselves and their team-mates to get better and better.

“I don't think they've had enough real leaders on and off the pitch to show you how you live and work as a professional and what is expected at United.

“Over the last maybe six or seven years, I've seen people joining Manchester United and they look like they think they’ve made it and don’t see the need to increase their fitness or their drive.

“That’s not just good enough to be wearing the Manchester United jersey. You have to fill that jersey and every moment of your day training is about being better and better.

“I think there's a lot of players who have joined Man United who can't believe they're there and just sitting back and enjoying it.

“For instance, if you look back at Paul Pogba who Sir Alex Ferguson let go, I can't remember any top games that he played. I can remember his instagram posts. That sums up Manchester United since that period.

“If you compare that to the dressing rooms at Manchester City and Liverpool, that’s what worries me about Manchester United as a whole.”

Alejandro Garnacho continues to impress under Erik ten Hag, what is special about him?

GS: “Alejandro Garnacho has got that drive and that willingness to get better in every moment. It's rare in that dressing room.

“He's only 19 and he still wants to get better and better, he reminds me of the attitude that everyone had in the dressing room 20 or 30 years ago,

“He has what the whole squad needs to get back because winning is the only thing that matters at Manchester United. Garnacho reminds me of Rooney when he joined the job.

“He was already a world class player and Garnacho is similar in that he’s not scared of anything. He’s been so positive for Manchester United you just have to make sure he has the right people around him, that’s what worries me.

“Having said that, there are also some good professionals who have done very well over the years, Casimiro being one of them, if he listens to experience he has a real chance to become a top player.”

Should Manchester United revamp Old Trafford to keep the memories, or build an entirely new stadium?

GS: “Manchester United should build a new stadium because although it’s nice to have the memories nearby, the memories will always be there. It doesn't go away.

“I think it would be refreshing to move on and do something different, just look at Tottenham and everybody talking about their stadium, even my wife wants to go there!

“There's been great memories, but the thing is you've got to make new ones and stop living in the past. You may actually say that the team of just now are basically living off the memories.

“Keep all memories up but they should be left with Old Trafford to start some new ones. Most fans with clubs that have moved to new stadiums are quite happy with what they've done.“

Manchester United managers are always compared to Sir Alex Ferguson but what was different about him to achieve so much success?

GS: “Alex’s first couple of years at Manchester United didn’t go so well but he had the burn and desire to become successful and he dragged everyone else with him. 

“If he saw that you didn't have that desire in you then you would go. It always comes up about Alex when a manager is struggling but he was a one off in his mentally and discipline.

“Even now he has that aura around him and people say you can’t get away with that king of mentality that he had now but I disagree with it.

“Players may not like it at times being pushed and driven to get to the top but Alex told you the truth whether you liked it or not. Sometimes he was wrong, and he would apologise, but he’d make sure he apologised where no one could see it.

“But that attitude he had of pushing you to success becomes part of your life, the biggest thing for him was never letting your team-mates down, that is what always stuck with me.

“You never, ever let your team-mates down. Unless you’re a superstar like Eric Cantona and you can jump into the crowd and batter somebody and they still love you. But Alex also knew that you needed players like that with a bit of genius that can win games.

“The point is, everybody's got to stop talking about Sir Alex and get on with the present. If you can’t deal with that then move on, because it’s too big a club to be wasting time.”

Erik ten Hag has said that the gap is not that big to Manchester City at the top of the table, do you agree?

GS: “I think he knows Erik ten Hag knows that Manchester United are quite a bit away from the three leaders, he has been a good manager so far because he’s intelligent.

“But what he’s thinking and what he’s saying to the media is a completely different thing. As a manager you don’t get paid fortunes to go and coach these players and work with them and turn up at the wonderful training facility in a stadium where millions of people adore you and people in the world. You do that for nothing.

“What you get paid for is the stress that comes with the game and to deal with the media and the stress and all the rest of it. As a manager, you never, ever let the players see you're turning against them or doubting them.“

Manchester United will be underdogs against Liverpool in the FA Cup, could the pressure be too much for the players?

GS: “Manchester United have an issue in their FA Cup against Liverpool if Jurgen Klopp makes changes because they won’t get praise for beating a lesser team, but if they lose to them it will be a tragedy.

“The pressure can be a real problem with the mindset of Manchester United players, so you have to think about the mental side when they play Liverpool. 

“Some players have come out and said that they shouldn’t be criticised if they are trying their best but if you’re getting heaps of money then it’s part of the deal. If you’re at Manchester United then you have to deal with it.

“If you don’t like it then you should go and play for a lesser club, whether it was 40 years ago or now it’s magnificent to play for Manchester United and the fact is you have to deal with stress.

“I’m not sure what was exactly said in Marcus Rashford’s interview but that's the way it goes.

But the fact is, I'm afraid that's the way it goes. You're expected just to concentrate on football and do your best for your club, that is it.”

Who is the pressure on in the Scottish Premiership title race with two points separating Rangers and Celtic?

GS: “There is pressure on Celtic at the moment because they had an eight-point lead just after Rangers changed manager and there might have been a subconscious boost at the time that hasn’t helped them.

“What they didn't expect was this fantastic run with Philippe Clement coming along, an ex-player of mine I had at Coventry – and I think it’s spooked Celtic a bit.

“The two biggest losses at Celtic compared to last year are the two defenders Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers with one gone and the other not playing as regularly, the issue is how Brendan Rodgers is going to deal with it.

“When you're a manager, that's when you get paid to deal with issues in the moments when things aren't going well. 

“There are 10 games to go and the title race is so interesting, the fact is that there's more competition now than when Brendan was last at the club and iI would also say that the score he had was better in the squad he's got just now, more experienced, that's for sure.

“But there is also a new pressure on Rangers as they go into the run-in as leaders, so it won’t be easy for them either.

“It will be the Old Firm games that decide the title race, they’re the games that can make players legends of the club. That's when you become a hero.

“At this moment in time, losing that lead will be nagging away at the psyche of Celtic, Rangers will still be thinking about how they made up the difference between them.”

Leeds are on an incredible run and could return to the Premier League, is Daniel Farke the manager of the year so far?

GS: “Leeds are on an incredible run but the fans are smart and won’t take anything for granted. I heard them talking after the Leicester game and they were praising them which shows they know how much quality is in the Championship. 

“I think the standard there has been exceptional this year but in terms of Daniel Farke being the manager of the year, I’d actually go for Kieran McKenna at Ipswich.

“If you think about what he has to work with and where he's brought them then he’s done fantastic. It looked at one point like they might drop off but they’re still right up there.

“With the standard of Southampton as well, the level is so good this year.”

Has Michael Carrick’s stock dropped after an inconsistent season at Middlesbrough?

GS: “Michael Carrick has done a good job at Middlesbrough for a while but your name only goes so far. His stock is still high although it has been up and down but we know he won’t reach his peak for a long while yet.

“The fact is that you can either do a good job as a manager or you can’t but it takes time. Look at Sir Alex Ferguson taking 15 years to reach his peak and Arsene Wenger having to go around the world before landing at Arsenal. 

“Carrick is going to take a few hits but he needs to just keep working and keep improving. Steve Gibson will back him and look after him so he’s in a good place to learn his trade.”

Are pundits right to criticise managers and should managers have their say in return?

GS: “Just because pundits haven't always been successful managers it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to call out managers. Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville can still have insight.

“But the one thing you shouldn’t do as a manager is get involved with individual pundits because you’re never going to have the last word. The only time you can have a go back is when you win trophies but by that time it speaks for itself.

“You get paid the big bucks and you need to be able to deal with having people talk about you. Don't get sucked into it because you will lose your focus even if you’re just protecting your team.

“When I was at Celtic I made the decision not to read papers, watch TV, listen to the radio or anything. Just concentrate on what you're doing because it can affect you.

“And I've always said, when I’m going down the motorway and there's a car crash and you see people looking at it… – Well I don't. I never look at it because it will affect the way I drive.

“Now I know there's been an accident, but I don't have to look at it. It's the same with the media. I know what's going on. I don't have to listen.

“So when I had a press conference, I never got prickly with one person who might have said something about me or had done something. I was just prickly with every one of them, but I was never particularly with one or two.”