Gemmill ends 13-year Scotland Under-21 reign
Scot Gemmill will leave his post as Scotland Under-21 head coach after 13 years, the Scottish FA has confirmed. The 55-year-old former Scotland midfielder previously coached the nation’s under-17 side before taking charge of the age-group above.
A record without a finals appearance
Gemmill could not guide the under-21s to a European Championship during his tenure, though he did secure fourth place at the 2018 Toulon Tournament. As a player, he spent most of his club career in England with Nottingham Forest, Everton, Preston North End, Leicester City and Oxford United, followed by a single year at New Zealand Knights.
SFA pays tribute
SFA chief football officer Craig Mulholland thanked Gemmill for his service. “On behalf of the Scottish FA, I’d like to thank Scot for his many years of dedicated service to the game in this country,” Mulholland said.
“He is held in the highest esteem by those who have worked alongside him, and I know that respect extends to the countless young players who have played under him at the various age levels,” he added. Mulholland noted that Gemmill represented Scotland with distinction as both player and coach, saying: “We wish him well in his next opportunity.”
What comes next for the squad
Scotland Under-21s return to competitive action in the autumn with European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan at home on 30 September and Bulgaria away on 6 October. The fixtures will be the first under a new head coach following Gemmill’s departure.