Steve Clarke's Legacy and the Search for Scotland's Next Manager
Steve Clarke led Scotland to qualification for three major tournaments during his seven-year tenure as head coach.
With Clarke's recent departure, attention has swiftly shifted to identifying his successor to lead Scotland forward. Discussions among fans, journalists, and pundits had already begun following Scotland's World Cup defeat to Brazil and their third consecutive underwhelming performance at a major tournament.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA), which had extended Clarke's contract just a month prior, is now actively seeking a new head coach ahead of the upcoming Nations League campaign, set to commence in Slovenia on 26 September.
Is the Remit Different from Clarke's Appointment?
When Clarke was appointed in May 2019, Scotland's primary objective was to qualify for a major men's tournament for the first time since 1998—a goal he successfully achieved multiple times. The next manager's mandate will be to build upon this foundation by advancing Scotland beyond the group stages into the knockout rounds.
This task is challenging. Clarke was praised for uniting the squad and the nation, fostering a strong, club-like spirit that contributed significantly to Scotland's qualification successes. Maintaining this cohesion while refreshing a squad that was among the oldest at the World Cup will be essential.
Additionally, Clarke's pragmatic approach, though occasionally more attacking as seen in the win over Haiti, generally maintained a cautious style. There is speculation that the next manager might adopt a more attacking philosophy, which could be welcomed by fans frustrated by Scotland's exits from consecutive European Championships and the World Cup without making a significant impact.
"This has been a special, special group. And he's got the best out of them," said former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, a close friend of Clarke. "But a lot of them are not going to last. I know these days 40 seems young for a World Cup player. In reality, that's not the way it is, though. "It's not obvious who the next group of players are. So whoever comes in, it's actually a bit of a monster job to do."
Does the New Manager Have to Be Scottish?
Scotland's previous experience with a foreign manager was unsuccessful. Berti Vogts replaced Craig Brown in 2002 but managed only nine wins in 32 games, a 28% win rate.
Since then, all Scotland managers have been Scottish nationals. However, with 27 of the 48 teams at the World Cup managed by non-natives, there is discussion about whether Scotland should consider foreign candidates.
Financial constraints are unlikely to be a barrier, given the revenue generated from recent qualifications. Furthermore, Euro 2028 appears attainable, as two places are reserved for host nations—including Scotland—if they fail to qualify directly.
While several key players are in their 30s, many may still contribute in the next campaign, making the role attractive to prospective managers.
"There's not [an obvious candidate] and I know that a lot of people will be looking to say it has to be a Scot," said former national team talisman James McFadden. "But I don't think there's a lot of options there to go down that route. "I think it just has to be the best manager that can somehow either continue the progression or raise it. I don't know how high the ceiling is, but I think whatever happens next it's a huge call. "It's about trying to bring the best man in that can continue the trajectory that the country's been on. We need to try and continue the momentum."
Potential Candidates for the Scotland Head Coach Role
Derek McInnes has long been mentioned as a future Scotland manager, but his recent appointment at Rangers makes an immediate move unlikely.
David Moyes is another figure with considerable support; however, it is improbable he would leave Everton for the Scotland position at this time.
Other names under consideration include:
- Scot Gemmill: The former Scotland midfielder has served as the under-21 head coach for over a decade and is well known to the SFA. He could facilitate the transition of younger players into the senior squad but has not notably overachieved with the under-21s and lacks other managerial experience.
- Steven Naismith: Part of Clarke's coaching team, Naismith might serve as an interim option. However, his limited managerial experience, including a brief tenure at Hearts, makes a permanent appointment unlikely.
- John McGlynn: The Falkirk manager has been linked with Hearts and Aberdeen following a successful season marked by attractive, attacking football. At 64, the national team role would be a significant opportunity.
- Darren Fletcher: The former national team captain currently coaches Manchester United's under-18s and had an interim spell with the senior team. Despite limited experience, his reputation and connection with players and fans could be advantageous.
- Ange Postecoglou: The former Celtic manager's name has surfaced in speculation. His attacking style was popular at Celtic, though mixed results at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest have affected his standing. Whether he would consider the Scotland job remains uncertain.
Get in Touch
Readers are encouraged to share their views on the Scotland football team.
Additional information and coverage related to Scotland's football team and upcoming fixtures.
- World Cup fixtures and group standings
- How to watch the World Cup on the BBC
- Everything you need to know about the World Cup
