Strachan - I want to be here

New Boro boss confident of getting club promoted this term

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 26th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Strachan - I want to be here

Strachan: New Boro manager

I don't need to be here and I don't have to be here, I'm here because I want to be here.

Gordon Strachan.
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Gordon Strachan made it clear that he was pleased to be named as Middlesbrough's new manager after declaring that he didn't have to take the job.

The former Celtic boss was out of work for just six months before Boro officials approached him to succeed Gareth Southgate two weeks ago.

The Scot confessed that he had not missed football during his absence, but did admit that his love for the game would quickly return once he absorbed himself in his new job.

Strachan highlighted that the Boro job would be a 'different' challenge compared to the other clubs he had managed, but one that he was very much looking forward to.

"I don't need to be here and I don't have to be here, I'm here because I want to be here," he said.

"When I left Celtic I said that it would be very difficult for me to retrace my steps in terms of jobs and enjoyment.

Different challenge

"I felt it had to be something different. I never said to anyone that it had to be bigger or better, just something different.

"I will also have a chance here, I know who the chairman is, I know where the money comes from and I know you get time. The stability of the club is one of the reasons I thought I had the chance to develop things the way you would like, developing younger players and making better players better.

"So these things attracted me to the job."

Strachan was confident he could handle the pressure of returning Boro to the Premier League at the first time of asking having endured four years in charge at Parkhead.

"Every job has stress," he added.

"There is always pressure on you to do well. All I want to do is do well, make the players better, make the team play better and that's what I am all about. Basically, I try and make players better.

"As for pressure, it depends how you deal with it and what you call pressure."

Strachan explained that he had already spoken to the squad and outlined the fact that he wanted his players to think for themselves on the field, rather than waiting to be told what to do.

"In a meeting this morning I told them I'm not going to stand here and tell you what to do and what not to do," he declared.

"Let's do it through actions rather than me speaking, so you build up the relationships."

Trusty assistant

The former Southampton and Coventry boss also pointed out he was happy to work with the staff currently in place at the Riverside, although Strachan has brought in trusty assistant Garry Pendry.

"I'm happy to work with everybody that's here," he said.

"I think you must try and keep the continuity at the club. I brought Garry Pendry here, but he has been everywhere with me so it's bit of a double act and I wouldn't feel comfortable without him being here."

Despite being linked with moves for a number of his former Celtic players in January, Strachan was adamant that he hadn't thought that far ahead yet.

"I spoke to Gordon McQueen (scout) this morning. There are one or two priorities we are trying to sort out but we have not got to the January thing yet," he stated.