Steven Naismith has cast doubt on David Moyes becoming the next Scotland manager, suggesting the Everton boss is unlikely to leave Merseyside for the national team role at this stage. However, the former Scotland striker revealed he will remain on the coaching staff following Steve Clarke's resignation.
Naismith expects Moyes to take charge eventually
Clarke stepped down after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage of the World Cup, with only a 1-0 win over Haiti and defeats to Morocco and Brazil. Moyes has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed him, but Naismith, who played under Moyes at Everton, believes the timing is not right.
“David Moyes is one of the best Scottish managers that country has produced,” Naismith said. “He’s in a brilliant job at the moment, it’s probably the perfect job. If I’m honest I think it is probably unlikely [he’ll be Scotland manager], because he’s gone into Everton at a time where they need a big rebuild.”
Naismith added that he expects Moyes to manage Scotland before he retires, saying: “Before he retires, I’m pretty sure we’ll see him in the Scotland dugout.”
Naismith confirms he will stay on
As for his own future, Naismith confirmed he will remain part of the Scotland setup after talks with the Scottish Football Association. “The last few years have been really enjoyable for me,” he told Sky Sports. “The conversations have all been that I’ll be involved somewhere.”
Naismith stressed the importance of appointing an experienced manager at this critical juncture. “The next manager has to be someone who has that experience, because I think it’s a critical moment for us as a national association. It has to be someone with that experience that can progress what has been done.”
He added: “For me, I’m happy to help wherever that may be. That’s always been the case over the last two or three years. I’ve done a lot on the coaching education side, I’ve went through my pro license. I do feel as if I’ve got some skills in all these areas that I can contribute. Whatever I need to do in the short term, I will do. I want to make Scotland as good as it can be.”
