WHEN Brian McClair took the phone call his mind started whirring as soon as Gordon Strachan asked for advice on who would make a good national performance director for the SFA.

"Me," said McClair. The conversation continued as if he hadn't said a word. "I know that Gordon assumed I was being sarcastic."

Neither of these former Manchester United and Scotland team-mates is beyond sarcasm, but soon enough they were on the same wavelength.

McClair's interest and enthusiasm for the job crystallised, Strachan realised he was being serious, and soon another telephone call was being made by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan to make a formal approach to his employers, Manchester United. Soon an interview was conducted by Regan, Strachan and former Scotland managers Andy Roxburgh and Walter Smith, and McClair impressed. He will take over as Mark Wotte's successor on June 1, taking charge of all the national teams below under-20 and coordinating and applying the SFA's national performance strategy.

McClair played with distinction for Motherwell and Celtic, and 30 times for Scotland, but his longest association was with Manchester United: 11 years as a player and the past 14 as reserve and youth team manager or director of the club academy. Nearly all of that was under Sir Alex Ferguson and it was natural that McClair was asked if he was leaving Old Trafford because his managerial mentor had.

"I haven't been pushed out by United. There was no pressure put on me to leave whatsoever. When someone as supportive as Sir Alex leaves then there will be a big change. The chief executive, David Gill, also decided to leave at the same time and his replacement, Ed Woodward, is having to learn about the whole business and decide what to do with United's academy.

"I like to think I am arriving somewhere [by taking this job]. I'm arriving in a brand new destination even though it's also an old destination. I've been blessed to be part of the Ferguson era and to share in that success as a player then a coach and developer. But this was the right thing for me.

"The attraction is that it's Scotland and I want to make a difference. I think I can make a difference. I don't know what the difference is going to be yet. It will take me time to learn exactly everything that's involved, the role and the responsibilities. But it's a great opportunity for me."

Ferguson told him he "had the intelligence" to be a success in the role. There will be none of the bombast Wotte displayed. McClair is deadpan and reserved in public, but was as impressive in his coaching and development work at United as he was as a thoroughbred of a player. He has not taken the job as a stepping stone into management. "It's always irritated me when people ask if I ever want to be a manager. I've been a manger for ten years at the academy. It comes with its own responsibilities. I thoroughly enjoy being a manager at academy level and I intend to be at this level for as long as I can.

"I want there to be serious fun. I always want the kids to be fun but at the same time it has to be serious if you want to achieve something. I want all that the kids to enjoy their experience whether it be a friendly, tournament or a festival. I'm not saying they are not just now but that's my whole philosophy on life, the universe."

Prising a senior coaching figure out of Manchester United and into the SFA structure is a coup for the governing body. "His experience will count for a huge amount," said Regan. "You don't spend 25 years at Manchester United unless you are well regarded. Sir Alex speaks highly of him. I spoke to Sir Alex myself in the build-up as part of the process after Gordon had the initial chat with Brian. He has come highly recommended and is very well respected in the game.

"We want to have a Scotland philosophy or style of play which is all about passing from the back. Holding the ball, better possession. That's very much Brian's style."