Who could replace Steve Clarke as Scotland manager?

Scotland’s national team are searching for a new manager after Steve Clarke resigned following the team’s exit from their first World Cup since 1998.

Clarke brought to an end a seven-year stint as manager after Scotland’s elimination from the tournament was confirmed on Saturday evening.

Scotland mustered three points from nine in Group C to end up behind Brazil and Morocco, with a minus-three goal difference.

The former Kilmarnock manager had penned a fresh four-year deal prior to the tournament in North America, which could have kept him in post through the next World Cup in 2030.

Football

‘If we qualified, I would’ve stayed’: Clarke on ‘easy’ Scotland exit decision

Clarke brought to an end a seven-year stint as manager after Scotland’s elimination from the tournament was confirmed

However, the 62-year-old resigned after leading Scotland to three out of the last four major tournaments and the national team’s first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1998.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell revealed he had applicants for the position just hours after Clarke departed the post.

He said a “wide net” would be cast in search of a new boss, who would be tasked with managing Nations League games later this year and preparing for Euro 2028, which will be hosted in the UK.

Who are the favourites for the job?

A number of names have already been touted for the role in some of the bookmakers’ favourites.

One such name which would get Scotland fans excited is former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, who is in at 4/1 with some bookies.

The Greek-Australian has been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forrest after 39 days in charge in October last year. He left a trophy-laden spell at Celtic for Tottenham in the summer of 2023.

Clarke admitted he was hoping his successor would help the team find more quality in the final third, something Postecoglou is known for.

He has appeared on STV’s coverage of the World Cup in recent weeks, providing insight on Scotland’s tactical approach.

He’s also been on the international stage before, taking Australia to the 2014 World Cup.

Another name long linked with the top job is experienced coach David Moyes. Moyes, born in Glasgow, played for the likes of Celtic and Dunfermline during his career.

He’s managed at the top level with Everton and Manchester United, and reportedly has a year left on his contract in Merseyside.

With both Postecoglou and Moyes, the task for the SFA would be competing with the high wages English Premier League managers earn.

Closer to home, some bookmakers have inserted Falkirk manager John McGlynn at around 8/1 in the odds.

McGlynn, 64, has seen the Bairns from League One all the way to a solid Scottish Premiership campaign, and has been linked with other jobs in the top flight.

Current Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith has also been priced with the bookmakers at around 6/1.

The former Rangers star was previously in charge of Hearts and has been side-by-side with Clarke in the national set-up.

Other names include the likes of Millwall manager Alex Neil, who has long been linked with posts in Scotland. He’s priced around 7/1 with some bookmakers.

What does the next Scotland boss need to do?

Clarke leaves behind a core of experienced players, including skipper Andy Robertson, 32, who has won 97 caps and is chasing Kenny Dalglish’s record of 102.

The likes of Craig Gordon, 43, Grant Hanley, 34, and Kenny McLean, 34, may have played in their last major finals.

There are a clutch of outfield players who are 30 and above such as Jack Hendry, Dom Hyam, Lyndon Dykes, John McGinn, Ryan Christie and Lawrence Shankland.

Scotland have promising talent coming through the ranks, including Ben Gannon-Doak, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher and Lennon Miller.

The new boss will have to get the best out of them.

Scotland are next in competitive action in September in the Nations League and have been drawn in Group B1 along with Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia.

Whoever the new boss will be, they will begin their campaign with a trip to Slovenia, a home game against Switzerland, away to North Macedonia and home to Slovenia, in a two-week period.

In November, the Scots host North Macedonia and finish off with a trip to Switzerland.

Former Scotland international Duncan Ferguson admitted on STV’s coverage of the World Cup that the next appointment is a “tough one”.

He said: “I really don’t know where a good Scottish coach is out there at the moment, if I would prefer a Scottish man to take it.

“Off the top of my head, I think if Derek McInnes hadn’t gone to Rangers, he would’ve been a good option. I think David Moyes would be good if he was out of Everton.

“Maybe they will look internally to someone like Scot Gemmill [under 21s coach] or Steven Naismith.”