There are question marks over Gordon Strachan’s future as Scotland manager so could this be the perfect time for David Moyes to rebuild his reputation?
Robert Snodgrass (L) and Andy Robertson (R) of Scotland look dejected after the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match against Slovenia.
A 2-2 draw in Slovenia in their final qualifying match ended Scotland’s hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia and speculation has inevitably started about the future of manager Gordon Strachan.
Strachan has now overseen two unsuccessful qualification campaigns with the nation having also failed to even reach the playoffs for Euro 2016 and after the result in Ljubljana, refused to discuss his future when questioned by the Guardian.
Head coach Gordon Strachan (C) of Scotland looks dejected after the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match against Slovenia.
There are mixed feelings, with some believing that the way the 60-year-old turned results around in recent games warrants him having more time, while others think it is time for a change.
If Strachan were to be sacked or leave his post then there is one man who will surely be desperate for the job because in a sense it represents the final opportunity to rebuild his reputation. That man is David Moyes.
David Moyes watches from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland.
After 11 years with Everton in which Moyes only ever finished outside of the top ten twice and lead them to an all-time Premier League high of fourth in 2004/05, in hindsight it now seems that succeeding Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was the biggest mistake of his career – but it was an opportunity he would have been foolish to turn down.
Sacked after ten excruciating months at Old Trafford, the 54-year-old has since tried and failed at Real Sociedad and most recently Sunderland; axed from his position with the Black Cats after guiding them to relegation in May following a decade in the top flight.
A three-time LMA manager of the year winner and handpicked for the Red Devils position by Ferguson, it is difficult to see exactly where Moyes goes now to try and claw back some of the praise aimed his way that has all but faded over the past four years.
Except for with his native Scotland. Guiding the country to their first major international tournament since France ’98 would be a huge achievement and a stepping stone back towards a potential job in the English top flight – a position Moyes is nowhere near currently.
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