Naismith rules out immediate Scotland head coach role as SFA weighs successors

Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith expects to remain part of the national team setup regardless of who replaces Steve Clarke. The 39-year-old, appointed in August 2025, confirmed he has held discussions about his future role following Clarke’s departure after the recent World Cup exit.

Clarke resigned from his position only a month after signing a new four-year contract. This has left the Scottish FA to compile a shortlist, with chief executive Ian Maxwell stating the priority is to get the right coach as soon as we can.

Despite being linked to the top job, Naismith emphasized that the next head coach must possess significant experience. He described the current period as a critical moment for the national association, indicating his own immediate value lies in supporting the transition through his ongoing work in coach education.

Naismith also dismissed speculation that former Everton manager David Moyes would step into the role. While praising Moyes as one of the best managers the country has produced, Naismith noted his current position at Everton is probably his perfect job during a period requiring a major rebuild.

The pool of potential replacements reportedly includes Rafa Benitez and Falkirk manager John McGlynn. Naismith suggested that while a Moyes appointment is currently unlikely, he expects to see the veteran manager in the Scotland dugout before he retires.

The urgency of the search is dictated by a congested upcoming fixture list. Scotland returns to action in the Nations League second tier on September 26 against Slovenia, with the six-game group window concluding against Switzerland on November 16.

This transitional period carries substantial weight for Scottish football’s long-term trajectory. The incoming manager will be tasked with rebuilding momentum after last year’s play-off defeat to Greece, with the ultimate objective of qualifying for the co-hosted 2028 European Championship.