Championship - Strachan relishing Boro challenge

Eurosport - Mon, 26 Oct 08:37:00 2009

Middlesbrough have appointed Gordon Strachan as their new manager and the Scot is relishing the challenges facing him at the Riverside.

Gordon Strachan - 0

Strachan had been the hot favourite for the post since the club took the decision to axe Gareth Southgate last week.

Southgate fuelled the fire when revealing he had been tipped off Strachan had been sounded out for the job even before his departure, and the club have now confirmed the appointment.

Strachan claims he was lured back into football because of the different challenges he faces at the Riverside.

"I don't need to be here, I am here because I want to be here," Strachan said at his press conference on Monday afternoon.

"I have not missed football and I can live without it, I have been very busy, but when I am in it I love it.

"When I left Celtic, I told people close to me that it would be difficult for me to retrace my steps in terms of jobs and the excitement I had at Celtic.

"What went with that job and the previous jobs were different; I felt it had to be different. I never said anything bigger or better, just different and I have a chance of something different here."

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We're very pleased with Gordon's appointment. He's an experienced manager and a football person through and through.

"Not only was he a very talented player, but he's proved himself to be a very talented manager, and that's why we were keen to bring him here.

"His experience and his knowledge will be of immense value to everybody at this football club, particularly the young players who have their careers in front of them."

Strachan feels he will be given every opportunity to build a team he wants under Boro chairman Steve Gibson.

He added: "I know who the chairman is, I know where the money comes from and I know you get time.

"I also know the stability of the club and you have the chance to develop things over time.

"These things attracted me to the job."

Strachan began his managerial career while still serving as a player at Coventry before moving on to Southampton in 2001.

The former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds midfielder took charge at Celtic in May 2005 and led the team to three successive Scottish Premier League titles.

Eurosport

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  1. What's the matter with Middlesbrough and their­ management choice?

    Strachan (wait and see, but more­ than likely @#$%), Southgate (@#$%), McClaren (@#$%*),­ Robson (@#$%).

    When will they learn?

    *Please note­ capital "C".

    From roman_weaves, on Tue 27 Oct 5:22PM

  2. MACALLISTER IS HIS NO 2. SOME ONE TOCONVERSE WITH AND­ TRANSLATE

    From D M, on Tue 27 Oct 8:36AM

  3. ROSIE YR A KN.OB

    From Steve, on Tue 27 Oct 8:13AM

  4. Good luck, Gordon, at Middlesborough - you'll have­ to beat Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and a host of­ others if you're going to take your new club back­ into the premiership. Good luck, ken ye know that!

    From Richie, on Tue 27 Oct 4:13AM

  5. WHO CARES ABOUT??? MY BOYFRIEND THINKS THE SAME WITH­ ME. HE IS­ EIGHT YEAR OLDER THAN ME. LOL. WE MET ONLINE­ AT­ AGELESSMATCH C O M, A NICE AND FREE PLACE FOR­ YOUNGER­ WOMEN AND OLDER MEN, OR OLER WOMEN AND YOUNGER­ MEN TO­ INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

    From sissy.lusper, on Tue 27 Oct 2:53AM

  6. Robert-79 The players will not understand his scottish­ accent !

    From Olugbayi, on Mon 26 Oct 9:13PM

  7. he will do well there I will be very supprised if boro­ don't finish in the top 2 this season

    From jamie.lyon7, on Mon 26 Oct 8:20PM

  8. Our 1st Scottish manager since Bruce Rioch if he's­ half as good were onto a winner.

    From GEOFF, on Mon 26 Oct 7:56PM

  9. I suppose he has to say that, Champions League to­ Championship, whats that all about ?

    From B4ts, on Mon 26 Oct 7:44PM

  10. Wee Chesney, what a plum, no personality and no idea.

    From robert, on Mon 26 Oct 7:34PM

  11. robert...isn't that long for bob??..only joking

    From ., on Mon 26 Oct 6:12PM

  12. THE WEE MAN IS A VERY GOOD MANAGER AND WILL DO WELL AT­ MID.B. WOULD HAVE THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE WAITED FOR A­ PREM LEAGUE JOB.

    NO ENGLISH MAN CAN SLAG OFF SCOTTISH­ MANAGERS, NAME THE LAST ENGLISH MANAGER TO WIN THR TOP­ ENGLISH LEAGUE?
    IT WAS IN 1991/92 AND WAS HOWARD­ WILKINSON WITH LEEDS, THE REAST HAVE BEEN WON BY A­ FRENCH MAN, A PORTUGUES MAN & TWO SCOTSMEN.

    AND­ DONT CALL US JOCKS OR WE WILL COME AND KILL YE ALL ­

    (ONLY JOKING)

    From robert, on Mon 26 Oct 5:43PM

  13. *55 - wt
    give him a chance people he ain't been­ there a day

    question should be
    will strachan be­ better than southgate?
    YES (thumbs up)
    NO (thumbs­ down)

    From Matt, on Mon 26 Oct 5:11PM

  14. strach is a celtic legend; 2 consecutive appearances in­ the last 16 of the champions league, 3 spl titles,­ scottish and league cup aswell. good luck strach!

    From guitarbhoy, on Mon 26 Oct 5:05PM

  15. the wee man did more for celtic than o'neil ever­ did and he turned out ok!

    From scott.harkness, on Mon 26 Oct 4:47PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Jewtaylor2002! you are a @#$%. your balls are way too­ samll to even come across the border! rascist scum! if­ your going to make threats like that i suggest u come­ see me. idiot!!!

    From RORY, on Mon 26 Oct 4:44PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i dont even support middelsborough anyway

    From Rosie, on Mon 26 Oct 4:39PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    mckenzie - keep your abuse to yourself, you haggis­ shagging Mcewans drinking unemployed heathen.

    I shall­ come to your miserable little village and perform a­ reenactment of the Glencoe massacre...........the only­ way to deal with you Jocks

    God save the Queen

    From jewtaylor2002, on Mon 26 Oct 4:09PM

  19. This is a stroke of genius. WGS (Wee Gordon Strachan)­ was the best manager of Southampton for many a long­ year. He is still badly missed here. Congratulations Mr­ Gibson, after several big mistakes, you have finally­ found a top man for the job.

    Also, you will be­ entertained by his interviews.... One south coast­ reporter once spotted him coming out of his office and­ asked for a quick word.... Gordon replied­ "velocity" and walked off! Great character,­ solid bloke and takes no cr@p from anyone!

    From IAN R, on Mon 26 Oct 4:05PM

  20. R.F.C No.1 !!!!!!!, (65) Are you seriously saying you­ are prepared to bet your house against Aston Villa­ winning the Premiership? (Btw,.... your name,...­ nothing to do with Rochdale Football Club by any chance­ is it?)

    From Philip B, on Mon 26 Oct 4:04PM
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