More About

Gordon Strachan | Player

Gordon Strachan made his senior debut with Dundee and Aberdeen, before making his international debut in 1980. He scored over 130 goals in his club career, including:

– Dundee: 13
– Aberdeen: 55
– Manchester United: 33
– Leeds United: 37

First appearing for Scottish teams, Gordon moved to England and ended up winning the 1985 FA Cup final with Manchester United. In 1989, Gordon was offered a contract with Leeds United, where he quickly became a popular figure, earning comparisons to legends such as Bobby Collins and Johnny Giles, and gaining the captain’s armband.

After a bout of injury, he moved to Coventry City in 1995 as assistant manager, but he also played for the team, playing 26 Premier League matches over the next two years.

Over the years he would play in the European Cup, European Super Cup, League Cup, Scottish Cup, and win the First and Second league titles.

As well as his club career, Gordon was a successful Scottish player, making his debut in 1980 against Northern Ireland. He helped Scotland qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and played in qualifying matches for other championships. When he was 40 years old, he announced his retirement due to long-term back troubles, having won 50 caps and scoring five goals for his country.

 

Gordon Strachan | Manager

He became player-manager at Coventry in 1996, where he spent five years, before becoming Southampton manager, taking the team all the way to the 2003 FA Cup final.

After a 16 month break, he returned to Scotland to become manager of Celtic where he achieved three successive league titles and a number of other domestic cup wins. He stayed at Celtic until 2009, when he became manager of Middlesbrough for a year. After a period managing at club level, he managed the Scotland national team for five years.

 

Gordon Strachan | Honours and Titles

Gordon has won a number of titles and honours during his career as player and manager, including:

As Player

– 3x Scottish Cup

– European Cup Winners’ Cup 1982-83

– European Super Cup 1983

– FA Cup 1984-85

– FA Charity Shield 1992

– The Rous Cup 1985

 

As Manager

– 3x Scottish Premier League

– Scottish Cup 2006-07

– 2x Scottish League Cup

 

Individual

– SFWA Footballer of the Year 1979-80

– FWA Footballer of the Year 1990-91

– Scottish FA International Roll of Honour 1992

– Leeds Untied Player of the Year 1993

– PFA Merit Award 1995

– 4x Premier League Manager of the Month

– SPFA Manager of the Year 2005-06

– 2x SFWA Manager of the Year

– 2x PFA Scotland Manager of the Year

 

Gordon Strachan | Other Work

Gordon has become a go-to analyst for the media, appearing on Match of the Day, and as a pundit for ITV’s coverage of the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and World Cup.

In 2007 he published his autobiography, Strachan: My Life in Football.

In 2011, Gordon established The Strachan Football Foundation, a not-for-profit company combining football training with education for young people, providing apprenticeships and academic opportunities alongside football development. In the 15 years since it was founded, the foundation has seen 750 students graduated and over 80 former students now in full- or semi-professional football.

 

“For me, the Strachan Football Foundation is about more than football; it’s about giving young people belief, purpose, and a platform to succeed in whatever path they choose.” – Gordon Strachan

 

Gordon Strachan | Speaker

Gordon is now a sought-after sporting, keynote, and after-dinner speaker. Combining his motivational ideas on leadership and teamwork with his witty quips about football, he can entertain any audience.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great Sports Speakers now to book footballer and manager Gordon Strachan for your next event.

 Contact us.