Strachan was able to boast the proud record of never having been relegated throughout his long and illustrious playing career. But he now cannot the same about his managerial record. After several previous flirtations with the drop in his five years at Highfield Road, Coventry said farewell to the Premiership last season. Not that Strachan didn't try everything in his search for inspiration. He chose to spend the days building up to the final moments of last season's relegation dogfight watching The Great Escape.
Some managers snap and snarl their way through the pressures of the job.
Strachan has, by and large, managed to raise a laugh. Although you can be sure that on the inside he will be hurting. Only occasionally has the mask slipped. Last December, after a close-run defeat to Midlands rivals Derby, he was only half joking when he attempted to blame the ball boys for the loss. The enduring image from the sad end to Coventry's 34-year top flight record is likely to be despair.