Gordon Strachan signs two-year Scotland deal

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan faces the media during a press conference at Sopwell House on August 13, 2013
© Getty Images
Gordon Strachan will stay on as Scotland manager for World Cup 2018 qualifying after signing a two-year extension.

Gordon Strachan has signed a two-year extension to remain as Scotland manager for their World Cup 2018 qualification campaign.

The 58-year-old's future was shrouded in doubt following the Scots' elimination from Euro 2016 qualifying after finishing fourth in Group D.

However, Strachan, the subject of huge support by the 11,000 fans who travelled to Portugal for their 6-1 win over Gibraltar, has put pen to paper on a new deal.

"It is an honour and a privilege to manage my country and, in a way, that has made the disappointment of not qualifying for Euro 2016 all the more profound," he said in a statement. "Nonetheless, the reaction from the supporters throughout the campaign, and in particular from those who travelled to Faro in their thousands, is an experience that will live with me for the rest of my life.

"It was a recognition that the players' efforts had been appreciated. That appreciation and goodwill has also been apparent in the messages of support I have received this week, from emails and letters to chats in the street. I want the best for our country and for those players and I believe we can make Scotland proud in the upcoming qualifiers.

"For that reason, I am delighted to have been asked to continue in my role and I look forward to working with my backroom staff and the players to improve on the previous campaign and look forward to the World Cup qualifiers with optimism."

England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta will join Scotland in Group F for World Cup qualifying, which begins next year.

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