WHO NEXT FOR SCOTLAND??

WHO NEXT FOR SCOTLAND?


The recent termination of George Burley’s contract brought to an end a largely, disastrous reign.
Under Burley, Scotland only managed four wins out of 13, two of those coming against Iceland. Defeats to Macedonia, Norway and Holland contributed to a hopeless campaign. In addition this there was the Boozegate saga, the self imposed, non-inclusion of Kris Boyd and bewildering team tactics and backroom staff appointments.

Surprisingly, Burley was given an extended a stay of execution from the Scottish Football Association (SFA). But recent defeats against Japan and Wales together with a change in heart from the Tartan Army meant that the end was nigh.
Whoever succeeds Burley will take on the unenviable task of transforming a team and nation that has been in the doldrums for more than a decade. Not since Craig Brown’s tenure as national coach have Scotland qualified for a major tournament. This is a terrible record when history shows that Scotland once qualified for 5 World Cups in a row. Those days are now distant memories and unless the SFA can find the right man Scotland shall fall into International obscurity alike Wales, Hungary or Northern Ireland.

So who next to pick up the poison chalice? The candidates are thin on the ground but as follows:

Craig Levein – The current coach of Dundee United is viewed as the bookies favourite. He is young, articulate and responsible for the transformation of United into a challenging force in the Scottish Premier League again. However, although he suffered in England with Leicester he would probably view the national job as a bridge to another crack at the English Premiership similar in respects to Alex McLeish. This would leave Scotland managerless again. Also doubts remain over his experience. National team jobs are generally viewed as being more suited to the more aged managers.

Jimmy Calderwood – He Is currently unattached from club duties after an acrimonious split from Aberdeen at the end of last season. Calderwood has experience coaching in Holland and successfully brought European football to both Aberdeen and Dunfermilne Athletic. Despite this he is an unfashionable choice lacking the glamour to create any excitement with the Tartan Army.

Jim Jeffries - Veteran Jeffries enjoyed a successful term at Hearts before opting for an ultimately unsuccessful, move to Bradford City. Since then he has been manager of Kilmarnock and has struggledat times to ensure SPL status in trying financial times. Often described as dour and unfriendly he would be unpopular with the fans and media.

John Collins – Former Scotland player and Hall of Famer who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic, Monaco, Everton and Fulham. His first management position at Hibernian ended in resignation due to frustration with financial constraints. He has recently finished a short term with Belgian outfit Charlioux. Favours the European coaching methods with emphasis on fitness above all else, however, Collins is largely untested at any great management level and maybe too young for this post.

Dan Petrescu - The former Chelsea player has applied to the SFA and has recently masterminded Champions League wonders with little known Romanian club Unirea Urzichen. A fresh, foreign approach may be welcomed by the fans but again he lacks experience at national level and only one season in Europe.

Guus Hiddink (brief dalliance with fantasy from author) – The Dutchman is the hired gun of the football world. At successive World Cup Hiddink worked wonders with South Korea and Australia and impressed at short spell at Chelsea. Recent World Cup qualification with Russia was unsuccessful and may be coaxed into a new challenge. On the negative side salary for Hiddink will run into the millions a year and he shall no doubt be unimpressed at the level of players at Scotland’s disposal.

Other rumoured applicants include Marco Van Basten, Lars Lagerback, Stewart Houston (as always) and Gerard Houliier.

The SFA made a major error in not appointing Gordon Strachan after he left Celtic. Strachan is a Scotland hall of famer who played for Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United followed by success at Southampton and Celtic as manager. While the SFA were dithering he accepted a managerial post at Middlesborough.

Walter Smith has intimated he has no desire to return to national helm and Greame Souness is happy to fulfill only media duties. Premiership managers such as David Moyes and Owen Coyle have no desire to leave the World’s top league.

To date there are over 20 candidates for the post and the SFA have reiterated that there is no rush to find a replacement. Opinions vary but it is important that the fans have their voice.

Respected pundit from the BBC Chic Young recently aired his view :

“For me, the only genuine hope of salvation is Walter Smith or Craig Levein but there is much wooing to be done if either is to accept. And the Tartan Army had better stifle the nonsense about Smith being a traitor to the cause because he walked out before.
An outside bet, though, is Billy Stark, who could follow the career path of Andy Roxburgh who succeeded Jock Stein after a highly successful period with the Scotland youth team”.

Opinions are varied but the SFA have time to get the right man. With no games penciled in till March an appointment need only be made before the European Championship draw in February.