Even though Scotland failed to qualify for EURO 2008, the Tartan Army left the tournament as heroes. Manager Alex McLeish was among them and what looked like a very interesting World Cup Qualifiers for the Scots, is now generating a bit of uncertainty after his resignation from the job. We cried, we laughed and once again we cried seeing Scotland fall to Italy on November 17th. But people leave jobs for (3 times) bigger opportunities ($) and that’s life.

That’s right, 16th placed Birmingham City is paying triple. I guess it is not a hard decision on most people. He did a good job, raised his valued, and is now moving on. Something very common in the world of football and I am not particularly against it.

What are people saying? (from 606, who else?)

“Ah well. I’m afraid it seems to be the way of things now. At the top level of everything money is the determining factor. It would be too easy to point the finger at Alex MaCleish and ask what price loyalty or a sense of patriotic pride. Easy, but unfair ; because I would suggest 99% of managers and players would act in a similar way. As to whether he’s a success or not I’d doubt he’ll be given enought time to transform City into a safe mid-table team, let alone qualifiying for Europe etc. On a rather more hopeful vein, providing the SFA make a halfways sensible appointent (and that is in Scottish football, always a big caveat) and offer him a competitive salary: I see no harmful effects on the National team.”

“Birmingham fans really need to be made aware of what they are getting here. A distinctly average manager at best.”

“Well Big Eck, I hope your disloyalty is repaid by relegation for Birmingham and the sack for you, the grass isnt always greener its my wish that you find that out the hard way. Thanks for nothing Big Man.”

“the lot of you who are calling mcleish mad and an idiot for joining blues, two words for you- shut up.
‘oo mcleish, why did you move there when they could get relegated?’
whats wrong with you people, a good manager has to move to a bigger club so he can have an easy ride then. What the hells wrong with taking on a bigger chanllenge. Alex just isn’t jelous pussys like the lot of you.”

(hoho)