Brian McClair: I agonised over United departure

Brian McClair has explained how much of a wrench it has been to leave Manchester United for a job at the Scottish Football Association.

In an exclusive interview with MUTV, first broadcast on Monday evening, the Reds legend admits he agonised over whether to accept the post of performance director in his native Scotland. The 51-year-old has been in charge of United's Academy for almost a decade after previously providing great service in his playing days.

"They [the SFA] asked me," he replied, when asked how the move came about. "I didn't apply for the job. I spent hours and days agonising about what to do about it. In the end, I got up at two o'clock one morning and sat down and did some scribbling about things. I decided I would go for it. I can look upon it as arriving somewhere else rather than leaving. I'm going to miss the young players and I'll miss the staff. That was the most difficult thing, telling them, it was probably the most difficult thing I've had to do. It was short and sweet and I know some of them are disappointed but we'll celebrate the good times. We've had plenty."

McClair revealed he sought the counsel of former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who signed him as a player from Celtic in the summer of 1987, before deciding it was the right time to move on.

"Well, he is someone whose opinion I have always valued," he added. "I didn't always agree with his opinion. He was sometimes harsh and critical but he's always been there to help me improve - particularly as a player under him but also as a coach and Academy manager. The only question I asked of him and a few other people was, 'Do you think I could make a difference?' They all said 'yes'."

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