Alex McLeish sacked: Scotland manager leaves post after poor start to Euro 2020 qualification

McLeish's second spell in charge has ended after just over a year with the heavy defeat to Kazakhstan proving his undoing

Alex McLeish has been sacked by Scotland (Getty)

Alex McLeish has been sacked as Scotland manager after a dismal start to Euro 2020 qualification.

The 60-year-old's second stint in charge of the national team has ended after little more than a year after taking over last February.

A humiliating 3-0 to Kazakhstan in their opening qualifier and a disappointing 2-0 win over the world's lowest-ranked team San Marino has proven to be enough to force a change.

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell has revealed the manner of the defeat to Kazakhstan played a pivotal part in their decision.

"It was only taken after full consideration by the Board and after an honest and respectful conversation between myself and Alex earlier in the week," Maxwell said.

"Ultimately, the performances and results as a whole in the past year - and, in particular, the manner of the defeat in Kazakhstan did not indicate the progress expected with a squad we believe to be capable of achieving more.

"With that in mind, it was agreed that we would seek to recruit a new management team to take us forward for the remainder of European Qualifying campaign."

Oliver Burke cuts a dejected figure at full-time in Kazakhstan (Reuters)

McLeish's assistant coaches, Peter Grant, James McFadden and Stevie Woods, will also leave their roles.

PA Sport contributed to this report