The importance of Gordon Strachan

Overview

Gordon Strachan arrived at Leeds United in March 1989 with a reputation, experience and a rather awkward question hanging over him: could a Scottish international who had just been playing for Manchester United really become the man to help Leeds climb out of the Second Division?

The answer turned out to be emphatically yes.

The signing that changed everything

Howard Wilkinson paid around £300,000 to bring Strachan to Elland Road. The timing was crucial. Leeds were looking to build a side capable of challenging for promotion, and Strachan immediately brought personality, experience and quality to the midfield.

He played all 46 league games in the 1989-90 promotion campaign and scored 16 goals. Leeds finished as Second Division champions, with Lee Chapman scoring the decisive goal at Bournemouth on the final day.

Strachan wasn't simply another signing. He quickly became the focal point.

From promotion to title contenders

The first season back in the top flight ended with Leeds fourth, an extraordinary achievement for a newly promoted side. Strachan played 34 of the 38 league games and scored seven times.

Then Wilkinson added Gary McAllister to a midfield that already contained Strachan, David Batty and Gary Speed.

The shape of something special was emerging.

Captain Gordon

Strachan's influence went beyond goals and performances. He became a leader of the side and eventually the captain who would lift the biggest prize.

In 1991-92, Leeds and Manchester United fought almost all the way to the final weeks of the season. When Leeds won at Sheffield United and Manchester United subsequently lost at Liverpool, the title was confirmed.

Strachan became the second Leeds captain to lift the First Division title, following Billy Bremner. He remains the only Leeds captain to have lifted both the Second Division and First Division championships.

More than a footballer

Strachan's importance was partly about timing.

Leeds had spent most of the 1980s trying to find a way back towards the top flight. His arrival coincided with Wilkinson's rebuilding project and gave the side a player capable of bridging the gap between a promising Championship team and an established top-flight contender.

He wasn't the only reason Leeds succeeded, but he became its personality.

Why Gordon Strachan matters

There are players remembered for a goal, a trophy or a particularly brilliant season.

Strachan is remembered for helping change the direction of the club.

He arrived when Leeds needed leadership and left having captained them to two league titles. His influence connected the Second Division champions of 1990 with the champions of England two years later.

That makes Gordon Strachan much more than an important player in a successful Leeds side.

He was one of the people who helped make the success happen.