SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell has revealed he has already been inundated with messages from managers declaring an interest in the Scotland job, and insists they are willing to cast the net far and wide to find Steve Clarke's successor.
Just minutes after Scotland's group stage exit at the World Cup was confirmed in the early hours of Sunday morning, Clarke dropped the bombshell news that he was stepping down from the role, despite having penned a brand new four-year contract before the tournament.
Maxwell flooded with interest
Speaking to media in Charlotte before the Scotland contingent head home, Maxwell said: "The process for that (appointing a new manager) starts now. Football's a very, very small world. I've woken up this morning to a few messages from people that are interested in the job."
"I think we're a really attractive job for the right head coach or manager. We've got the Euros that we are co-hosting in 2028 to look forward to."
No stone left unturned
Maxwell stressed that the SFA will consider all options: "Nothing's off the table. We need to cast the net as far and wide as we can. It's about getting the right coach, it's not about necessarily where they come from. There's a lot of good managers out there and it's up to us to make sure that we pick the right one."
"The succession planning starts now. There's been a lot of success over the last few years and we need to make sure we appoint someone who can improve on that and continue to drive us forward."
Former Celtic and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is a leading figure with bookmakers among the early speculation from fans.
Clarke's decision and legacy
Maxwell lavished praise on the departed Clarke and gave details of the meeting that ultimately saw the national team boss decide to call it quits. He added: "I spoke to him yesterday and he'd made his mind up that he wanted to step down, and that's ultimately his decision."
"I can understand why. Obviously we didn't perform as well as we wanted to and I think there's been some fairly hysterical commentary back home, which hasn't helped."
"But ultimately, it's up to Steve. He's been incredible, I don't think there's any doubt if we sat seven years ago when we appointed him and said 'this is what the next seven years are going to look like' everybody would have bit your hand off."
"So, he's been fantastic for us and the last thing I would want is his reputation or legacy to be tarnished in any way, shape or form. I think it's important that we recognise the significance and achievements that he's done."
Maxwell described the meeting when Clarke told the players: "The emotion in that tells you how much they think of him and how much he thinks of them. And we can't lose sight of that."
"Everybody's overriding reaction at the moment is one of sadness. We're sad that the World Cup journey is over and we are sad that we didn't achieve what we wanted to do and obviously sad that our most successful head coach has decided to step down."
"It's very raw still at this point, but I think once the dust settles and we take a step back, I think we have to be proud to be the first Scotland team to win a qualifying group for 28 years and qualify for the first men's World Cup in a long, long time."
"I think we need to be incredibly proud of our supporters. They've travelled in tens of thousands and lit up America. Everybody you speak to cannot speak highly enough of the Tartan Army."
