Following last night’s news of Steve Clarke’s resignation, the hunt for the next Scotland manager begins. 

Clarke departs from the National Team after seven years in charge, becoming the highest-capped Scotland manager ever. Prior to him, Scotland had not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, he ended this hiatus by qualifying for EURO 2020. He’d then go back-to-back by leading Scotland to EURO 2024. A historic win against Denmark in November 2025 meant Scotland would finally return to the World Cup after 28 years.

However, three disappointing group stage exits have led to the Scotland legend tendering his resignation immediately after their elimination was confirmed. Here are five potential replacements for Clarke in the Hampden hot seat.

Ange Postecoglu

An early favourite for many, including myself. Postecoglu is currently out of work after an unsuccessful period in charge of Nottingham Forest. Prior to that he ended Spurs’ trophy drought by taking home the Europa League in 2025. Of course, the Australian is best known in Scotland for his hugely successful period in charge of Celtic where he won five trophies in two seasons in Glasgow, playing entertaining, attacking football along the way.

Postecoglu has previous success on the international stage as well, leading Australia to the 2015 Asian Cup.

Steven Naismith

Naismith has been Steve Clarke’s assistant since 2025 and is the current bookie’s favourite. He has previous experience as Hearts’ manager between 2023-24 where he guides the Edinburgh side to third place before being dismissed the following season.

Kieran McKenna

A potential left-field shout, highly rated Northern Irishman Kieran McKenna led Ipswich from League One to the Premier League after successive promotions, and then after relegation to the Championship, back to the Premier League again. Before leaving the club at the end of last season.

McKenna was also previously the Manchester United assistant manager, working under names such as Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The appointment of McKenna would certainly prove to be an ambitious one with the manager previously being linked to managerial positions at clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United.

John McGlynn

Another man behind a double-promotion. McGlynn led Falkirk from Scottish League One to the Premiership in back-to-back seasons before securing a respectable sixth place finish as Falkirk returned to the top flight for the first time since 2010. McGlynn is also a three-time PFA Scotland Manager of the Year, winning the award in 2011, 2024 & 2025.

David Moyes

The Everton boss seems a sensible appointment. Moyes has taken charge of just under 600 Everton matches over two spells. He’s since rebuilt his reputation from a poor spell at Manchester United by winning the Conference League with West Ham in 2023.

Some question marks were placed over Clarke’s head after EURO 2024 and Moyes seemed the obvious choice back then prior to his return to Everton, but the chance may come for him once more.

The SFA are able to take their time in appointing a successor as Scotland’s next match takes place on the 26th September, when they travel to Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League.