Brian McClair has quit his role as Performance Director of the SFA.
The decision is a major embarrassment to Stewart Regan who appointed the former Celtic and Manchester United striker just over a year ago to continue the plans put in place by Mark Wotte.
The high profile Dutchman created a 2020 Plan that involved appointing seven full-time coaches working directly within a local school to nourish young talent. Shortly after announcing the 2020 plan Wotte quit Hampden.
Announcing McClair’s decision to resign Regan explained: “I would like to thank Brian for his time as Performance Director. I am really disappointed that we have parted company after a year, but the complexities of the role cannot be overestimated. While his experience of developing talent over a sustained period of time at Manchester United was a major attribute, being Performance Director requires a different style of leadership and focus.
“As Performance Director, he found himself spending more time lobbying and presenting in the boardroom. It became apparent that this was neither a comfortable nor tenable situation in the long term. I would like to reiterate my thanks to Brian for his efforts and wish him the best of luck in the future”.
After appointing McClair last year Regan said: “The process of identifying a new Performance Director was thorough and hugely uplifting when we considered the quality of candidates. Brian very quickly became a stand-out with his blend of experiences not just from his trophy-laden career as a player at Manchester United, and his international contribution, but the depth of his coaching experiences with one of the biggest and most successful teams in the world.
“He has been at the cutting edge of coaching evolution, analysis and performance management at Manchester United and the recruitment panel were convinced he was the ideal person to lead the Performance Strategy into an exciting new era, enhancing the current provision while demonstrating the benefits of the investment so far to the future of Scottish football.”
With McClair joining Wotte on the outside the SFA are left looking for their third Performance Director in 18 months.