Scotland's long-serving manager Steve Clarke has unexpectedly resigned after seven years in charge, leaving the team with a tough road ahead.
Clarke's decision to step down comes as a surprise, especially given that he signed a four-year contract just last month and was set to lead the team at Euro 2028, a tournament Scotland is co-hosting alongside England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
During his seven-year tenure, Clarke has led the national team to qualify for three of the last four major tournaments, but their performances at those finals have been dismal, with just one win in nine games and failure to advance beyond the group stages.
With star players like Andy Robertson and John McGinn nearing the end of their careers, the new manager will face significant challenges, making the decision to take on the role a daunting one.
David Moyes has emerged as the early favourite to succeed Clarke, with bookies placing him at 4/1. Currently in his second spell at Everton, Moyes has rebuilt his reputation after struggling at Manchester United and Sunderland, and has recently won the UEFA Conference League with West Ham in 2023.
Angel Postecoglou, who won the Europa League with Tottenham last year, is also in the running, along with other notable candidates like Millwall boss Alex Neil, Clarke's assistant manager Steven Naismith, and former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard.
In an open letter to supporters, Clarke expressed his gratitude for the experience and said that the most emotional part of his goodbye was for his players, whom he credited with creating unforgettable memories during his tenure.
The search for Scotland's next manager is now underway, with a range of talented candidates vying for the top spot.
David Moyes – 4/1 Ange Postecoglou – 5/1 Alex Neil – 6/1 Steven Naismith – 8/1 Scott Brown – 10/1 Steve Cooper – 12/1 Steven Gerrard – 12/1
