The Scottish FA insists it will “cast the net as far and wide” as possible to find Steve Clarke’s successor – but has elite club football shrunk the pool of big catches?
Following the shock news of Clarke’s resignation, many names have been put forward by fans in group chats and on social media, though two stand out above the others. Former Celtic and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is one, while Everton manager David Moyes also represents a dream pick for the Tartan Army.
However, given the stature of the Premier League and the lucrative finances that come with it, how realistic is it that Scotland could entice a manager of that calibre? The question is not just about money; it is about ambition, timing, and the changing landscape of modern football.
The financial reality
Purely on a financial basis, it feels unlikely that the SFA could offer a package suitable enough to prise a Premier League boss away from their club. The gap between the wealth of club football and international management has never been wider.
Clarke was reported to be earning about £500,000 a year at the time of Euro 2024. That salary will presumably have increased when he signed a new four-year deal last month, but it will still fall well short of Premier League levels. The disparity is stark, and it reflects the broader financial realities of the modern game.
Moyes is entering the final year of a multi-million-pound contract at Everton, where he returned for a second spell in 2025 to stabilise the club and has since guided them to back-to-back 13th-place finishes. His salary at Goodison Park dwarfs anything the SFA could offer.
The 63-year-old Scot said back in 2021 that he would be interested in leading his nation in the future. “I think at the right time, when things are right for me and if it’s right for Scotland, then it might be a consideration,” he told BBC Sportsound.
He was then boss at West Ham United, where he led the club to a sixth-place finish in England’s top flight and to the Conference League title. His stock has remained high, and he has proven himself capable of managing at the highest level.
Undoubtedly still a Premier League-level manager, Moyes has the pedigree to manage Scotland. But the timing he referenced five years ago still seems off, even before the finances involved in any potential deal are considered.
“We’re not daft enough to think the Premier League isn’t paying high wages,” former Scotland striker Kris Boyd said on Sky Sports. “In the future, I think Moyes will be a Scotland manager. Right now, he’s the manager of Everton and will be on a big, big salary. The SFA won’t be able to compete with that.”
Postecoglou out of work – but also out of reach?
For out-of-work Postecoglou, who has sometimes offered tactical insight on the Scots during World Cup punditry duties this summer, the timing could be right. He is available, he is experienced, and he has a proven track record of success.
But the elephant in the room, again, would be the numbers involved if he were even interested in heading back to Scotland. The former Celtic manager was sacked by Nottingham Forest in October after just 39 days in charge. That came only four months after he was let go by Spurs, having just won them the Europa League – their first trophy in 17 years.
The bullish, winning mentality the Australian exudes would galvanise the Scotland fanbase, many of whom grew frustrated with Clarke’s approach in tournaments. His attacking philosophy and tactical flexibility would represent a significant departure from Clarke’s more pragmatic style.
A lot of those Scottish supporters will also have been regularly exposed to the thrilling brand of football he implemented during a trophy-laden spell at Celtic. His time at Parkhead was marked by relentless attacking football, high pressing, and a refusal to settle for second best.
Postecoglou also has four years of experience in senior international management, having been Australia boss between 2013 and 2017. He won the 2015 Asian Cup after taking the nation to the 2014 World Cup, where they exited at the group stage in a brutal section featuring holders Spain, 2010 runners-up Netherlands and Chile.
Postecoglou ticks nearly every box, but with a reported £5m yearly salary at Spurs followed by a supposed £3m-a-season deal at Forest, it would be fanciful to think the SFA can come anywhere near matching those figures. The financial chasm is simply too wide.
The changing landscape
Although Clarke felt like the standout candidate at the time – and went on to prove himself the right choice – poaching him from Kilmarnock highlights the pond Scotland were fishing in then. The SFA’s options have traditionally been limited by financial constraints, and there is little sign that this has changed.
With standards raised after three major finals appearances across the Clarke era, the coming weeks will tell us how ambitious the SFA are prepared to be in their search to replace arguably the nation’s most successful men’s head coach. The bar has been raised, and the pressure to find the right candidate has never been greater.
The Scotland job is an attractive one. The national team has a talented squad, a passionate fanbase, and a genuine opportunity to compete at major tournaments. But the financial realities of modern football make it difficult to compete with the Premier League for top managerial talent.
The fans’ perspective
Scotland fans have been vocal in their support for Moyes and Postecoglou, seeing them as the ideal candidates to build on Clarke’s legacy. The frustration with Clarke’s conservative approach in tournaments has been palpable, and there is a hunger for a more attacking, entertaining style of football.
Moyes’ connection to Scotland and his experience in the Premier League make him a popular choice. His ability to organise teams and get results would be valuable at international level, where tournament football requires pragmatism as well as flair.
Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy and charismatic personality have also won over many fans. His time at Celtic is still remembered fondly, and there is a belief that he could bring that same excitement to the national team.
The SFA’s dilemma
The SFA faces a difficult decision. They must balance the fans’ desire for a big-name appointment with the financial realities of the organisation. They must also consider the timing and the message that their choice sends about their ambitions.
Appointing Moyes or Postecoglou would be a statement of intent, signalling that Scotland is serious about competing at the highest level. But the financial cost of such an appointment may be prohibitive, and the SFA may be forced to look elsewhere.
The alternative is to appoint a less high-profile candidate, someone who is more affordable and perhaps more willing to work within the SFA’s budget. This would be a safer choice, but it would also be less inspiring for fans.
