GORDON Strachan has hinted he could be ready for a return to football management.

The Scot quit his post at St Mary's last February after news leaked out early that he would be leaving at the end of the 2003/04 campaign.

Since then, Strachan has travelled extensively to broaden his coaching knowledge and sat on the BBC's television panel of experts for Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Talking about that, Strachan said: "I learned a lot. You get the best seats, the best views and see all the top players close up.

"I enjoyed it very much and it was an education as well.

"But out of a media job and a coaching job, I would take the coaching job every time. It is not even a question."

Strachan has been linked with a return to management at Leeds, Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham and even Liverpool since quitting Saints.

But he admits: "I can't put a date on when I would be back, though. I'm not in a position to do that until I get an offer.

"It is not management I've missed but the opportunity of working day-in day-out on the training field with talented people.

"And I didn't take a break to escape stress.

"People see my style of management in the dug-out, trying to busily communicate with players, and they assume I'm like that all the time.

"But on the six other days of the week I'm a completely different person.

"It is just that I promised my wife I would take a break because I've been a footballer or a coach or a manager for nearly 30 years solid."

Strach: 2003/04 was just 'boring' - see today's Daily Echo.