1. Early Life and Playing Career
Gordon Strachan's football journey began in his early life, leading to a distinguished professional career across various prominent clubs in Scotland and England.
1.1. Youth and Early Career
Born and raised in Muirhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, Gordon David Strachan was a supporter of Hibernian in his youth. His father, Jim, worked as a scaffolder, and his mother, Catherine, was employed at a whisky distillery. At the age of 15, Strachan sustained a significant injury to his right eye while playing football on his school playground, when a pen in his pocket became lodged in his eye. The pen came within "a thousandth of an inch" of causing permanent blindness in that eye, resulting in retinal detachment and severe amblyopia, leaving him almost blind in his right eye. Despite this profound visual impairment, a fact he kept hidden throughout his career, he continued to pursue his football dreams.
He was offered a contract by Hibernian manager Eddie Turnbull, but his father declined the offer, citing insufficient expenses for footwear. At 14, Strachan opted to sign with Dundee, turning down an approach from Manchester United, believing he had a better chance to establish himself in the first team at Dens Park. His innate talent quickly became evident, and he twice earned the Scottish Reserve Player of the Year Award.
1.2. Dundee
Strachan made his professional debut with Dundee in 1974. He gained attention as an 18-year-old when he outplayed Alan Ball in a friendly match against Arsenal in August 1975, prompting The Sunday Post to liken him to a young Billy Bremner. During the 1975-76 season, the inaugural season of the Scottish Premier Division, Strachan became a regular, featuring in 17 of the club's 36 league matches. However, Dundee was relegated on the final day of the season.
For the 1976-77 First Division campaign, then-19-year-old Strachan was handed the captaincy by manager Tommy Gemmell, making him the youngest player to captain Dundee. He later characterized his performance as captain as "pathetic," admitting he tried to emulate Billy Bremner by being aggressive and shouting, but forgot to focus on his own football. Strachan lost his first-team place early in the 1977-78 season following a drinking session with Jimmy Johnstone. Gemmell also noted that opposition teams were targeting Strachan to disrupt Dundee's play. Strachan decided to leave Dundee as the club struggled to regain top-flight status, and the chairman was eager to sell him to address financial issues. His final match for Dundee was a 6-0 League Cup defeat to Queen of the South on 26 October 1977.
1.3. Aberdeen
In November 1977, Aberdeen manager Billy McNeill signed Strachan for a fee of 50.00 K GBP plus player Jim Shirra. His 1977-78 season was marked by poor form and minor injuries, and he was not selected for the 1978 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Rangers. However, he did win the Scottish 2nd XI Cup with the reserves in 1978.
After McNeill's departure in summer 1978, Alex Ferguson was appointed as the new manager. Strachan played in the 1979 League Cup final defeat to Rangers, where he assisted Duncan Davidson for the opening goal. Despite a disappointing 1978-79 campaign, Aberdeen, under Ferguson, achieved a remarkable league title win in 1979-80, overcoming a ten-point deficit against Celtic with a late surge that included two victories at Celtic Park. They also reached the League Cup final, losing to Dundee United. At the end of the season, Strachan was named SFWA Footballer of the Year. He signed a new contract until 1984 after receiving assurances that Alex McLeish would also remain at the club.
The "Reds" finished second in 1980-81 as Celtic clinched the league title. They exited the European Cup in the second round to eventual champions Liverpool; Liverpool manager Bob Paisley famously suggested Strachan would become "Britain's first £2 million player" as a form of mind games. Strachan missed the latter half of the season due to a muscle tear in his stomach. With Strachan fit again on the right flank, supported by Stuart Kennedy, and record signing Peter Weir on the left, Aberdeen mounted a strong title challenge in 1981-82, but again finished second to Celtic. They did, however, lift the Scottish Cup with a 4-1 extra-time victory over Rangers, with Strachan contributing one assist and one goal.
The 1982-83 campaign marked the pinnacle of the club's history. Strachan scored four goals in a 5-1 League Cup victory against his former club Dundee. Despite finishing third in the league and exiting the League Cup in the quarter-finals, Aberdeen achieved an unprecedented double by winning both the Scottish Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. The European triumph came with a 2-1 after-extra-time victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid in Gothenburg. The Scottish Cup was secured with a 1-0 win against Rangers. The "Dons" continued their dominance in 1983-84, securing both the league title and the Scottish Cup, with Strachan assisting Mark McGhee for the winning goal in the cup final against Celtic. This remarkable period also included a victory over Hamburger SV in the 1983 European Super Cup, completing a unique treble of major titles under Ferguson.
1.4. Manchester United
In August 1984, Manchester United acquired Strachan for 500.00 K GBP. A complication arose as Strachan had previously signed a pre-contract agreement with German Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln, necessitating a 75.00 K GBP compensation payment from United to resolve the dispute. His teammate Mark McGhee had also signed with Hamburger SV under the impression that Strachan would join him in Germany.
Strachan started the 1984-85 campaign strongly, scoring four goals in seven matches, though the "Red Devils" ultimately finished fourth in the First Division. He played at Wembley Stadium in the 1985 FA Cup Final, where United defeated Everton 1-0. His intense off-the-ball run helped Norman Whiteside create space for his extra-time winning goal.
During the 1985-86 season, after United won their opening ten league matches, Strachan was sidelined for much of the season due to injury. The team struggled with his absence and other key injuries, finishing fourth again. In November 1986, Ron Atkinson was replaced by Alex Ferguson. Strachan famously joked to his teammates, "I never thought he'd follow me this far south!" Ferguson later commented that no longer being the star player seemed to have negatively affected Strachan's form. United finished a disappointing 11th in 1986-87, improved to second in 1987-88, but slipped back to 11th in 1988-89, with Strachan's form inconsistent.
1.5. Leeds United
In March 1989, Sheffield Wednesday manager Ron Atkinson had a 200.00 K GBP bid accepted by Manchester United and offered Strachan a contract that would have made him the highest-paid player in the club's history. However, Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson matched the offer and persuaded Strachan to move to the Second Division. Strachan quickly became a popular figure at Elland Road, drawing comparisons to club legends Bobby Collins and Johnny Giles. He signed a two-year contract and was appointed club captain. He formed an effective midfield partnership with Vinnie Jones and led Leeds to the Second Division title in 1989-90.
Upon their return to the First Division, Wilkinson assembled a formidable midfield quartet of Strachan, Gary McAllister, David Batty, and Gary Speed. They achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in 1990-91 and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. For his outstanding performances during this campaign, Strachan was voted FWA Footballer of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award in both Scotland and England.
Strachan signed a new two-year contract and captained Leeds to the league title in 1991-92, famously denying his former manager Alex Ferguson and Leeds' bitter rivals Manchester United the title. However, Strachan, nearing his 35th birthday, began to suffer from sciatica and missed several matches due to his recurring back problems. Following the club's success, Strachan was appointed an OBE for his services to sport.
Despite their championship success, Leeds were unable to maintain their form, finishing 17th in the newly rebranded Premier League in the 1992-93 season. Strachan, however, continued to impress and received the club's Player of the Year award. He scored a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers on 10 April 1993, his second for Leeds, with the first having come in September 1989 in a 4-0 win over Swindon Town in the Second Division. In 1993-94, Strachan made 37 starts as Leeds climbed to fifth place. He was rarely selected in the 1994-95 season, which marked the end of his six-year spell at Elland Road.
1.6. Coventry City (Player-Coach)
In March 1995, Strachan moved to Coventry City to serve as assistant manager under Ron Atkinson, who had brought him to Manchester United years earlier. It was pre-arranged that Strachan would take over as manager in the summer of 1997. Strachan focused on coaching and leading training sessions, learning the intricacies of management from Atkinson. He also made 26 Premier League appearances for the "Sky Blues" over the next two years, finally retiring from playing at the age of 40. This made him, at the time, the oldest outfield player to play in the Premier League.
Strachan's influence at Coventry grew. He recommended the signing of Aberdeen midfielder Eoin Jess in 1996, and although Isaías left the club after a disagreement with Strachan, he was instrumental in signing Gary McAllister for 3.00 M GBP on wages of 20.00 K GBP per week, a deal Atkinson largely opposed. The club struggled at the start of the 1996-97 campaign, leading the board of directors to ask Atkinson to step aside in November 1996, earlier than planned. Strachan was then officially appointed manager.
2. International Career
Gordon Strachan represented the Scotland national football team for over a decade, participating in two FIFA World Cups.
He earned his first cap for Scotland on 16 May 1980, in a British Home Championship match against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, which Scotland lost. Strachan played a crucial role in Scotland's qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, scoring the only goal in a decisive victory against Sweden at the Råsunda Stadium in Stockholm during the qualifiers. Manager Jock Stein opted to rest Strachan for the 1982 British Home Championship, preserving him for the World Cup finals in Spain.
At the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Scotland achieved a commanding 5-2 victory over New Zealand at La Rosaleda Stadium in Málaga, where Strachan was named Man of the Match. Scotland then faced a formidable Brazil side, losing 4-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville. In their final group match, a 2-2 draw with the Soviet Union back in Málaga, Scotland exited the tournament on goal difference.
Scotland also qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Tragically, shortly after a draw with Wales on 10 September 1985, Jock Stein died of a heart attack, and his assistant Alex Ferguson assumed management for the World Cup campaign. To secure qualification, Scotland had to defeat Australia in a play-off; Strachan played in the first leg at Hampden Park but did not travel for the second leg in Melbourne. In Mexico, Scotland faced a challenging group, losing their opening match 1-0 to Denmark at the Estadio Neza 86. Strachan then scored in a 2-1 defeat to West Germany at the Estadio Corregidora in Querétaro. His goal celebration was memorable, as he playfully attempted to climb the advertising hoardings but was humorously hindered by his short stature, resorting to simply resting his leg on it before being joined by his teammates. The final group match, a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Nezahualcóyotl, saw Uruguayan player José Batista sent off within the first minute for a tackle on Strachan, yet Scotland still failed to advance.
Strachan fell out of favor under subsequent manager Andy Roxburgh and was not included in the squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. However, he experienced a national team resurgence between 1990 and 1992, even captaining his country during qualification for UEFA Euro 1992. Despite this, he did not travel to Sweden for the tournament as a member of the squad, announcing his retirement from international football due to long-term back problems. He concluded his international career with 50 full caps and 5 goals.
3. Managerial Career
Gordon Strachan transitioned from a decorated playing career to a varied and notable managerial career across several clubs and the Scotland national team.
3.1. Coventry City
After Ron Atkinson became Coventry City's director of football in November 1996, Strachan was promoted to a player-manager role, appointing Alex Miller as his assistant. An initial upturn in results earned Strachan the Premier League Manager of the Month award in December. However, a poor run of one win in 12 matches in the new year left the "Sky Blues" in the relegation zone. Late victories against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur by a single point margin ultimately saved their Premier League status. Strachan notably played in the win over Chelsea at Highfield Road at the age of 40, which was a Premier League record for an outfield player at the time.
Strachan strengthened the squad by signing international players such as Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hedman, Danish defender Roland Nilsson, Dutch midfielder George Boateng, and Romanian striker Viorel Moldovan. Coventry rose to 11th place in 1997-98 and reached the quarter-finals of the 1997-98 FA Cup. After Miller's departure, Strachan brought in Garry Pendrey as his assistant, who would remain with him for many years at various clubs. Strachan was again named Manager of the Month in February 1998.
The club finished 15th in 1998-99 and 14th in 1999-2000. Strachan made significant transfer investments, spending 6.00 M GBP on Irish striker Robbie Keane and 5.00 M GBP on Moroccan players Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo, while selling Dion Dublin to Midlands rivals Aston Villa. Coventry City was relegated at the end of the 2000-01 season, marking the first time the club dropped out of the top flight in 34 years and making Strachan unpopular with fans. New signing Craig Bellamy proved disappointing, while Robbie Keane was sold and Gary McAllister departed for Liverpool. Strachan attempted a promotion campaign by signing striker Lee Hughes, but facing increasing supporter unrest, he was sacked five matches into the 2001-02 First Division campaign. His replacement, Roland Nilsson, guided the team to an 11th-place finish.
3.2. Southampton
Within weeks of leaving Coventry, Strachan returned to management, taking over at Premier League club Southampton in October 2001. The team had suffered a terrible start to their first season at the new St Mary's Stadium, and most pundits had already written off their chances of survival. However, Strachan orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, leading the "Saints" to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League.
Southampton continued to progress in 2002-03, finishing eighth in the league and reaching the 2003 FA Cup Final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Arsenal. As Arsenal had already qualified for the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League, Southampton secured a place in the UEFA Cup, a significant achievement for the club. In February 2004, Strachan announced his resignation as Southampton manager. He had intended to take a break from football in the summer, but a leak to the press about his decision forced him to resign earlier than planned, amidst speculation surrounding his and the club's future.
3.3. Celtic
After a 16-month hiatus, Strachan returned to management on 1 June 2005, succeeding Martin O'Neill as manager of Celtic in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). His stated aim for the 2005-06 season was to reclaim the SPL title from rivals Rangers.
Strachan endured a challenging start to his Celtic managerial campaign, suffering a 5-0 defeat to Slovakian champions Artmedia Bratislava in a UEFA Champions League qualifier on 27 July 2005, followed by a 4-4 draw with Motherwell in his first SPL match. The loss to Artmedia meant an early exit from European competition despite a 4-0 victory in the return leg. Another low point was a shock defeat in the third round of the Scottish Cup to First Division club Clyde in January 2006. However, Celtic's performance steadily improved under Strachan. In February, his team achieved a record SPL victory margin by defeating Dunfermline Athletic 8-1. His first season culminated in success as he guided Celtic to victory in the Scottish League Cup and, on 5 April 2006, clinched the SPL title in record time with six matches remaining. For this achievement, Strachan was voted Manager of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers' Association.
In the following year, Strachan restructured the team with a series of key signings, including Derek Riordan, Jiří Jarošík, Kenny Miller, Lee Naylor, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Thomas Gravesen, Paul Hartley, and Steven Pressley. Celtic thrived, establishing a 17-point lead in the SPL by mid-January 2007. The team automatically qualified for the Champions League group stages and progressed to the round of 16 for the first time since the competition's 1993 re-format, thanks to home victories against all three Group F opponents: Benfica, Copenhagen, and Manchester United. Celtic narrowly lost their round of 16 tie to eventual winners Milan in extra time. On 22 April 2007, Strachan led Celtic to their 41st league championship and second in succession with a 2-1 victory against Kilmarnock, leaving them 13 points clear of Rangers. Later that day, he received the inaugural PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award for 2007. Celtic also won the 2006-07 Scottish Cup, beating Dunfermline Athletic.
In the 2007-08 season, Strachan again guided Celtic to the Champions League round of 16, defeating Milan, Benfica, and Shakhtar Donetsk in the process. By April, criticism arose from the press and fans following a 1-0 loss to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup quarter-final and a 1-0 loss to ten-man Motherwell in the SPL. However, after securing two vital home victories against Rangers, Strachan made history on 22 May 2008 by becoming only the third Celtic manager ever to guide the club to three consecutive Scottish league titles.
In the 2008-09 season, Celtic won the League Cup after extra time against Rangers. However, failing to secure a fourth consecutive league title, Strachan resigned as manager on 25 May 2009.
3.4. Middlesbrough
Strachan signed a four-year contract with English Championship team Middlesbrough on 26 October 2009, succeeding Gareth Southgate. He had previously been linked with the Middlesbrough manager's job 15 years prior, during his time as a Leeds United player. His first match in charge was a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle on 31 October, where Adam Johnson missed a penalty. On 5 December, Middlesbrough secured their first win under Strachan, a dominant 5-1 away victory against Queens Park Rangers. After a challenging run of results, including home losses to Blackpool (3-0) and Cardiff City (1-0), Strachan achieved his first home win when his team defeated Scunthorpe United 3-0.
Following a poor start to the 2010-11 season that saw Middlesbrough in 20th place, Strachan left the club by mutual consent on 18 October 2010. He voluntarily terminated his contract and departed without compensation.
3.5. Scotland National Team
Strachan was appointed manager of the Scotland national team on 15 January 2013, succeeding Craig Levein. His first match in charge was a 1-0 friendly victory against Estonia at Pittodrie Stadium on 6 February, with Charlie Mulgrew scoring his first international goal. Scotland suffered defeats to Wales and Serbia in Strachan's initial two competitive matches, effectively ending the team's slim hopes of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Following these setbacks, Scotland's form improved, securing victories in both matches against Croatia and an away win against Macedonia. Scotland ultimately finished fourth in qualifying Group A.
In Euro 2016 qualifying, Scotland faced a tough draw alongside Germany, Poland, and the Republic of Ireland, despite the finals tournament expanding from 16 to 24 teams. After an opening loss in Germany, Scotland recorded home wins against Georgia, Ireland, and Gibraltar, along with away draws against Poland and Ireland. However, an "insipid" 1-0 loss in Georgia significantly hampered their qualification chances. A subsequent home defeat by Germany left Scotland four points behind third-placed Ireland with only two matches remaining. In the penultimate matches of the group, Scotland needed to defeat Poland or hope that Ireland would lose to Germany. Scotland came from behind to lead 2-1 in their match, but Ireland's single goal in their game meant Scotland required a win to stay in contention. A late goal by Robert Lewandowski secured a draw for Poland, thereby eliminating Scotland from qualification. Strachan publicly lamented what he perceived as bad luck. After a victory against Gibraltar in the final qualifier, Strachan agreed to a new contract with the Scottish Football Association. However, after failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Strachan resigned from his position on 12 October 2017.
4. Management Style and Philosophy
Gordon Strachan is widely recognized for his distinctive approach to football management, characterized by rigorous attention to detail, emphasis on player health, and a unique, often humorous, communication style.
Strachan typically favored a traditional 4-4-2 formation, occasionally employing a 4-5-1. He is known for his rigorous management style, often reviewing video replays of his team's matches two or even three times. He places immense importance on player health and fitness, strictly discouraging excessive or regular alcohol consumption among his players and frequently offering dietary advice. He attributed his own remarkable longevity as a player to a strict and somewhat unconventional diet that included seaweed. Several players, including Scotland international Gary Caldwell, have credited their success at Celtic to the lifestyle changes enforced by Strachan.
Renowned for his deadpan humor in media interviews, Strachan's witty and memorable quotes have become an enduring part of popular football culture.
4.1. Relationship with Alex Ferguson
Despite playing under Alex Ferguson at both Aberdeen and Manchester United, the two prominent figures maintained an ongoing public feud during Strachan's managerial career. In his 1999 autobiography, Ferguson famously stated, "I decided this man could not be trusted an inch - I would not want to expose my back to him in a hurry." Strachan, in his own 2006 autobiography, expressed his "surprise and disappointment" in response to Ferguson's comments. The rivalry reportedly originated during Strachan's playing days under Ferguson at Aberdeen and later intensified at Manchester United. However, in August 2006, after his Celtic team was drawn to play Ferguson's Manchester United in the Champions League, Strachan publicly stated that there was no longer any enmity between the two managers.
5. Other Work and Roles
Beyond his active playing and managerial career, Gordon Strachan has engaged in various other football-related activities and roles.
He has worked as a football pundit for several media outlets, including alongside Adrian Chiles on BBC Sport's Match of the Day 2. He also served as a regular pundit for ITV's coverage of the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he continued his role as a pundit for ITV. In April 2019, Strachan publicly apologized for remarks he made during The Debate on Sky Sports. Following the release of convicted sex offender Adam Johnson from prison, Strachan had appeared to suggest that criticizing Johnson for his offense was comparable to racial abuse, leading to widespread condemnation and his subsequent apology.
For the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Strachan was appointed as the official FIFA Ambassador for Scotland. In this role, he joined 50 other ambassadors in fundraising efforts for SOS Children's Villages, the official charity of the tournament. In August 2009, Strachan and his two sons established their own football school in the Coventry area, aiming to nurture young talent. In July 2019, Strachan was appointed to a technical director position with Dundee, a role he continues to hold.
6. Personal Life
Gordon Strachan married Lesley Scott in 1977, with George Mackie serving as his best man. They have three children: sons Craig and Gavin Strachan, both of whom also became professional footballers, and a daughter, Gemma Strachan. His grandson, Luke Strachan, is also a footballer who progressed through the youth setup at Dundee during the time Gordon served as the club's technical director.
7. Honours and Accolades
Gordon Strachan accumulated numerous honors throughout his illustrious playing and managerial careers.
7.1. Player
Aberdeen
- Scottish Premier Division: 1979-80, 1983-84
- Scottish Cup: 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84
- Drybrough Cup: 1980-81
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1982-83
- European Super Cup: 1983
Manchester United
- FA Cup: 1984-85
Leeds United
- Football League First Division: 1991-92
- Football League Second Division: 1989-90
- FA Charity Shield: 1992
Scotland
- Rous Cup: 1985
Individual
- SFWA Footballer of the Year: 1979-80
- Ballon d'Or: 1983 (4th place)
- PFA Team of the Year Second Division: 1989-90
- PFA Team of the Year First Division: 1990-91
- FWA Footballer of the Year: 1990-91
- Scottish FA International Roll of Honour: 1992
- Leeds United Player of the Year: 1993
- PFA Merit Award: 1995
- English Football Hall of Fame inductee: 2016
- OBE: 1993
7.2. Manager
Celtic
- Scottish Premier League: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08
- Scottish Cup: 2006-07
- Scottish League Cup: 2005-06, 2008-09
Individual
- Premier League Manager of the Month: December 1996, February 1998, January 2002, December 2002
- SPFA Manager of the Year: 2005-06
- SFWA Manager of the Year: 2005-06, 2006-07
- PFA Scotland Manager of the Year: 2006-07, 2008-09
8. Legacy and Assessment
Gordon Strachan's legacy in football is marked by his achievements as both a player and a manager, characterized by his technical prowess, resilience, and unique personality. Despite his relatively short stature (66 in (168 cm)), Strachan's rigorous focus on diet and physical conditioning allowed him to sustain a long and successful career at the highest level. His philosophy on the field, emphasizing quick passing, optimal body positioning to receive the ball, and constant movement, contributed significantly to his effectiveness as a playmaker.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Strachan's career is that he achieved top honors in England and Scotland, including the FWA Footballer of the Year award and induction into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, all while secretly playing with severely impaired vision in one eye due to a childhood injury. This ability to perform at an elite level despite such a significant physical challenge underscores his exceptional dedication, mental fortitude, and adaptability, setting him apart as a truly unique figure in the sport.
As a manager, especially during his time at Celtic, Strachan demonstrated an ability to recognize and integrate technical talent, such as with 中村俊輔Shunsuke NakamuraJapanese. His belief in a connecting, possession-based style of play, even when it diverged from conventional approaches, showcased a progressive mindset. His public expressions of admiration for Nakamura, calling him a "genius" and highlighting his statistical contributions despite perceived weaknesses, underscored his commitment to empowering players and maximizing their unique skills. This progressive approach to team building and player development, prioritizing skill and intelligence, left a positive mark on the players he managed.
8.1. Criticism and Controversies
While generally well-regarded, Strachan has faced specific instances of criticism and controversy. A notable example occurred in April 2019 when he apologized for remarks made during a Sky Sports program called The Debate. Following the release from prison of convicted sex offender Adam Johnson, Strachan appeared to draw an inappropriate comparison between the abuse directed at Johnson for his crimes and racial abuse. His comments sparked significant backlash from the public and media, leading to his public apology for the "clumsy" and "poorly articulated" statement.
9. Career Statistics
Gordon Strachan's extensive career as a player and manager is well-documented through his statistical records at both club and international levels.
9.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Dundee | 1973-74 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974-75 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1975-76 | Premier Division | 23 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 6 | |
| 1976-77 | First Division | 36 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 8 | |
| 1977-78 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Total | 69 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 89 | 15 | ||
| Aberdeen | 1977-78 | Premier Division | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| 1978-79 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 46 | 6 | ||
| 1979-80 | 33 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 15 | ||
| 1980-81 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 9 | ||
| 1981-82 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 50 | 20 | ||
| 1982-83 | 32 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 52 | 20 | ||
| 1983-84 | 25 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 47 | 18 | ||
| Total | 183 | 54 | 29 | 7 | 46 | 20 | 34 | 8 | 292 | 89 | ||
| Manchester United | 1984-85 | First Division | 41 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 56 | 19 |
| 1985-86 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 5 | ||
| 1986-87 | 34 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 | ||
| 1987-88 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 9 | ||
| 1988-89 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | ||
| Total | 160 | 33 | 23 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 202 | 38 | ||
| Leeds United | 1988-89 | Second Division | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
| 1989-90 | 46 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 17 | ||
| 1990-91 | First Division | 34 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 9 | |
| 1991-92 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 5 | ||
| 1992-93 | Premier League | 31 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 43 | 6 | |
| 1993-94 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 | ||
| 1994-95 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Total | 197 | 37 | 14 | 2 | 19 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 235 | 44 | ||
| Coventry City | 1994-95 | Premier League | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | 5 | 0 | |||
| 1995-96 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 17 | 0 | |||
| 1996-97 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 11 | 0 | |||
| Total | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 33 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 635 | 137 | 76 | 12 | 95 | 26 | 45 | 11 | 851 | 186 | ||
9.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 1980 | 7 | 1 |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1982 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 9 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 6 | 2 | |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | 5 | |
9.2.1. International goals
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Strachan goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 September 1980 | Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden | 6 | Sweden | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 12 June 1983 | Empire Stadium, Vancouver, Canada | 22 | Canada | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 3 | 26 March 1986 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland | 34 | Romania | 1-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 4 | 8 June 1986 | Estadio La Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico | 36 | West Germany | 1-0 | 1-2 | 1986 FIFA World Cup |
| 5 | 1 May 1991 | Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino | 46 | San Marino | 1-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying |
9.3. Managerial
Record updated as of 8 October 2017 (competitive club matches and all international matches)
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Coventry City | 5 November 1996 | 10 September 2001 | 70|56|89|32.6 | ||||
| Southampton | 22 October 2001 | 13 February 2004 | 39|32|39|35.5 | ||||
| Celtic | 1 June 2005 | 25 May 2009 | 122|28|32|67.0 | ||||
| Middlesbrough | 26 October 2009 | 18 October 2010 | 13|13|20|28.3 | ||||
| Scotland | 15 January 2013 | 12 October 2017 | 19|9|12|47.5 | ||||
| Total | 263|138|192|44.3 | ||||||