Applications already in for Scots job as Clarke departs

Steve Clarke leaving the Scotland team hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. 

Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell revealed he had applicants for Scotland’s head-coach position just hours after Steve Clarke departed the post following the nation’s 2026 World Cup exit.

The Scots took three points from the available nine in Group C to end up behind Brazil and Morocco, and with a minus-three goal difference.

However, it was not enough to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams who move through to the last 32 of the competition.

Soon after Croatia’s 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday night confirmed the Scots’ departure from the competition, it was revealed Clarke had stepped down from his role.

Speaking at the Scots’ hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, as players departed in dribs and drabs, SFA chief Maxwell spoke of the “sadness” around Clarke’s decision which was still “raw”.

When he was asked what was next in terms of a replacement, he said: “The process for that starts now.

“Football is a very small world. I wakened this morning to a few messages from people who are interested in the job.

“We are a really attractive job for the right manager, right head coach. We have a Euros that we are hosting in 2028 to look forward to, there has been a lot of success over the last few years and we need to appoint someone who can improve on that and continue to drive us forward.

“It is really difficult to put dates on it, we obviously have (Nations League) games coming up in September.

“There is a four-game window at the end of that month.

“It will be soon as we can but as long as we get the right coach.” 

Maxwell did not rule out the possibility of a foreign boss, saying: “Nothing is off the table.

“We need to cast the net as wide as we can. It is about getting the right coach, it is not about necessarily where they come from.

“There are a lot of good managers out there it is up to us to make sure we pick the right one.”

EARLY CONTENDERS

David Moyes: The Everton boss quickly emerged as one of the bookmakers’ favourites. The 63-year-old Everton boss has been linked with the post over the years and has plenty of top-level experience. Whether he can be lured away from Merseyside – which would no doubt cost the SFA a hefty fee – is another thing.

Ange Postecoglou: The 60-year-old former Celtic boss would command instant respect from the dressing room, although the players would need to be prepared for a radical change in style.  

Alex Neil: It seems like the Millwall manager has been linked with the Scotland post every time it became vacant over years. He managed Norwich, Preston, Sunderland and Stoke before joining the Lions in 2024. At 45, he may feel he has more to do in club football.

Steven Naismith: Promoting from within is an option, and that move was successful in the past when Craig Brown took over from Andy Roxburgh in 1993. The 39-year-old former Hearts boss, who won 51 caps for Scotland as a attacker, worked under Clarke and his thorough knowledge of the squad would help with continuity.  

John McGlynn: Much has been made of the work the 64-year-old has done with Falkirk in recent years, leading the Bairns to back-to-back promotions to reach the Premiership and then a top-six finish last season. Praised for the way his Falkirk side play expansive, free-flowing football, but would be a left-field choice.