Gordon Strachan was unveiled to the press this afternoon on his first day after it was announced he has been appointed as Technical Director at the club.
Managing Director John Nelms introduced Gordon to the room as he opened the press conference by saying, “It’s a big day for the football club, we are exciting to have Gordon coming in as the Technical Director. The ambition of the club is to always go to our highest level and I can’t think of a better person to come into the club and be the Technical Director than Gordon.”
Gordon then gave the reason that he has taken up the role at Dens, “I love football, I’ve got too many ideas buzzing around in my head. I’ve got 20 years of thinking youth football and two years really researching and putting thoughts down on paper.”
“This is best for me now to put my ideas and philosophy together. John (Nelms) and Dundee are giving me that chance to put them into practice and there is a reality about it now.”
“It also allows us as a family to stay as a unit, other places, it would have been great for me but I wouldn’t have seen much of my wife and when you are doing something your whole family have to be happy with it. We know the area very well and we like the area. It’s regenerating itself as you can see if you come to (the city of) Dundee it’s completely different to when I was here, although the (Dens Park) boardroom is still the same.”
“I thank Dundee and John in particular for allowing us to do this.”
Asked how a club like Dundee produces players through the youth system, Gordon said ”The philosophy is the player. It’s not the team, it’s not the system. It’s the player. Producing a great player, 2 great players, 3 great players and if they can’t be great players we produce them so they have an understanding of how great players think, what great players have to go through to get to the top level. It’s all about the player. It doesn’t matter about systems because systems will change over the years but the ability to control the ball, be mentally strong, fitness, awareness, doesn’t change to be a top footballer.”
The full 24 minute press conference is available for all to view in the ‘Freeview’ section of DeeTV now – click here
