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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

McLeish sacked as Scotland manager after dismal start to Euro 2020 qualifying

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group I - Kazakhstan v Scotland - Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan - March 21, 2019 Scotland manager Alex McLeish reacts during the match REUTERS/Alexei Filippov/File Photo

(Reuters) - Alex McLeish has been sacked as Scotland manager after just 12 matches in charge, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) said on Thursday.

The decision was taken by the SFA board after Scotland's disappointing start to their Euro 2020 qualification campaign.

Scotland lost 3-0 to Kazakhstan in their opening qualifier and could only beat San Marino, the world's lowest-ranked team, 2-0 last month.

“It was only taken after full consideration by the Board and after an honest and respectful conversation between myself and Alex earlier in the week," Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said in a statement.

"Ultimately, the performances and results as a whole in the past year - and, in particular, the manner of the defeat in Kazakhstan – did not indicate the progress expected with a squad we believe to be capable of achieving more.

“With that in mind, it was agreed that we would seek to recruit a new management team to take us forward for the remainder of European Qualifying campaign."

McLeish's assistant coaches, Peter Grant, James McFadden and Stevie Woods, will also leave their roles.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)

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