So, what is Middlesbrough's newest manager really like? ComeOnBoro.com's Deputy Editor Elle Brunton attended Gordon Strachan's official unveiling yesterday.
After the obligatory delay, Strachan has a reputation for keeping journalists on their toes and he didn't disappoint, this is part one of the new Boro manager's first press conference.
Keith Lamb: "We are hear to announce the arrival of Gordon Strachan, he has signed a four year contract started this morning and we are delighted to have got someone of his status. We think he'll be a great acquisition to our staff."
Gordon Strachan, on why he came back to football in order to take the position:
"First of all I don't need to be here, I don't have to be here, I'm here because I want to be here in this job.
"I thought that it was very different for me after Celtic.
I felt I had to be doing something different and I've got the chance for something different here. I've got a great chance to develop things the way I would want, to develop young players and make them better.
There is always pressure to do well, to make players better and make the team better."
When reminded that Boro were only a point off the top of the Championship when Southgate got the chop, Strachan responded: "Yes but we were also two points off tenth."
Boro's Chief Executive, Keith Lamb fielded the questions regarding what seemed to many to be strange timing to sack the club's manager. Lamb was keen to talk about the future rather than the past, saying: "We are delighted to have Gordon here, we gave got a first class manager, someone who is experienced who the football club persuaded to come out of retirement."
Strachan's approach to football would appear to be that no matter the club the basic principles of football management are the same, he opined: "Usually [at a new club] you have the same problems.
"Players who can pass the ball to each other and mental strength and you won't go far wrong. There will always be off the field problems but if you've got that you are nearly there.
"We have a couple of injuries, Jeremie and Caleb, so were are looking to develop that area [up front] one way or another."
Many expected the new boss to mean wholesale changes in the backroom staff but with the exception of long term assistant Garry Pendrey, Strachan maintains he has no immediate plans to change the personnel, he said: "I'm happy with what we have got here, I've brought Garry though, Garry Pendrey, I wouldn't feel comfortable without him."
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 27/10/2009
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