The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is in the process of appointing a new head coach for the national team, marking the end of Steve Clarke's seven-year tenure.
The search for a successor is exploring various avenues, including established Scottish managers, promoting from within, and considering international candidates.
Among the prominent names frequently linked with the role is David Moyes, currently managing Everton. Moyes has been a recurring figure in discussions for the Scotland job but has not yet taken the position. Despite acknowledging a desire to manage his country, his current commitment to Everton and past decisions suggest his availability remains uncertain. Moyes was reportedly in Miami to watch Scotland's World Cup match against Brazil.
Another potential candidate is Ange Postecoglou, who is currently a free agent. Postecoglou has a strong track record in Scottish football, having led Celtic to five trophies over two seasons. He also managed Australia in the 2014 World Cup and secured their first Asian Cup title. His international experience and familiarity with the Scottish game make him a notable option, though his interest is unknown.
For an interim solution, the SFA could consider promoting from within, with Steven Naismith, currently Scotland's assistant manager, being a possible caretaker option. Naismith has managed Hearts for a year and was part of Clarke's World Cup staff, giving him knowledge of the players and media handling. This approach could allow the SFA to assess the situation before making a permanent appointment.
Neil Lennon, who has a history of success with Celtic and Hibernian, is also a high-profile figure in consideration. Lennon has expressed a desire to manage at the international level and has experience guiding teams to trophies. He has also been credited with improving Dunfermline's performance.
Alex Neil, who recently managed Millwall and previously led Norwich City to the Premier League, is another manager operating at a high level. His experience includes significant success in the English Football League Championship.
Former Scotland international Darren Fletcher, currently managing Manchester United's U18 team, has also been mentioned, though his managerial experience is limited. Scott Brown, another former captain, has also been discussed despite his own managerial challenges.
From outside the UK, Kasper Hjulmand has emerged as a favored candidate by bookmakers. Hjulmand led Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and qualified them for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. Despite success with Nordsjaelland and the Danish national team, his recent coaching stints in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz were less successful.
The SFA faces the task of selecting a coach to guide the national team into a new era, with a diverse pool of candidates reflecting different levels of experience and international profiles.