Who’ll be the Next Scotland Manager?

Collins, Levein, Houllier & Dalglish: Some of the names linked with the Scotland post

Right now I wouldn’t trust the SFA to spot a Thierry Henry handball in a penalty box. Their lack of vision, cohesion and general aptitude knows no bounds. Just weeks after George Burley was given a vote of confidence and tasked with getting the nation to the next European Championships he’s out on his backside after an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at the hands of a Welsh side that looked like it should be playing in the Victory Shield rather than a full international.

So it’s back to square one again. And which mug will be next to step up to the plate and take charge of Scotland? The Bertie Vogts experiment didn’t work – although many forget that he took Scotland to a qualification play-off – more than Burley, Big Eck and Uncle Walter managed during they’re tenures so the bookies certainly think it’ll be a Scottish mug rather a foreign one.

The betting is dominated by Scotsmen and Craig Levein leads the field at 2/1 (Bet365, Betfred, Skybet). The Dundee United boss has yet to comment on the position and whilst I think he would make a decent job I just think he might view it as a step back in his managerial career.

Next in line is Rangers boss Walter Smith. The argument for is that he’s out of contract at Ibrox in January and despite claiming that he’ll continue to work on it’s likely that it will only be until the end of the season. The argument against is that Smith already walked out on Scotland when he was boss so would the SFA go back to their former employee after a somewhat acrimonious ending? In any case Smith has declared himself out of the race in the past week.

John Collins, on the other hand has put himself in the frame. The former Hibs boss has limited managerial experience and endured a tough time at Easter Road including a player revolt, so questions have to be asked over his managerial style. He’s a 7/1 shot at Paddy Power but would be viewed as a bit of a risk in my book.

At 8/1(Bet365, Betfred, Skybet) is Gary McAllister. The former Scotland captain also has limited managerial experience and having incurred the boos of the Tartan Army towards end end of his Scotland career I’m not sure he’d be ready to put himself on the line for a support that didn’t appreciate him as a player.

Killie boss Jim Jeffries has claimed to be flattered by any link to the position. He’s got a decent reputation as an SPL boss working under difficult conditions but his appointment would hardly excite the fans. Besides, he’s already got a job and that means the SFA would need to fork out compensation to his club. He can be backed at 9/1 (Bet365, Coral).

After those 5 we’re into 14/1 prices and above. Those mentioned include the likes of Jimmy Calderwood 14/1 (Bet365), Darren Ferguson 16/1 (Bet365), Czaba Laszlo (16/1), Billy Davies 20/1 (Skybet) and Joe Jordan 20/1 (Bet365). So hardly any stand-out candidates then.

Having said that there are a few long-shots who may just come to the fore in the next couple of weeks. Out of work Gerard Houllier would be a man worth considering. He’s vastly experienced and has of course managed at international level previously. At 25/1 (Paddy Power) he could be worth a squeak.

George Graham is another name that refuses to go away. The Glasgow-born boss hasn’t managed since 2001 but he’d be the type of authoritative figure that would command respect after a period of ill-discipline that has plagued the squad in the past few years. He’s 33/1 at Coral.

Other names available include Stuart Baxter (33/1 Paddy Power), Kenny Dalglish (33/1 Coral), Leo Beenhakker (40/1 Bet365), Craig Brown (50/1 Paddy Power). Oh yes, and you can have wee Bertie Vogts again at 500/1 (Paddy Power).

Who do you think will be next in the Scotland hotseat?

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