Scotland seek slick succession

The Scottish Football Association has started its search for a new national manager following Walter Smith's departure for Rangers FC with chief executive David Taylor hoping to have a new manager in place within four weeks.

Bad timing
Smith's decision to resign could not have come at a worse time with Scotland top of their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying group and with games at home to Georgia and away to Italy before the end of March. Taylor acknowledged the need for a speedy appointment, saying: "We have a special board meeting scheduled for next Monday morning. I don't think there will be an announcement then, but at the very least we will have a priority list of candidates. We would like it done very quickly. We have a B international on 7 February against Finland and all things being equal we would hope to have the new man in place before then."

Burns touted
Taylor admits a Scottish appointment is almost certain with Tommy Burns, who has served as assistant to both Smith and his predecessor Berti Vogts for the past five years, the early favourite for the post. Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish is another candidate although he has indicated a preference for a return to club management, while Craig Levein at Dundee United FC, Kilmarnock FC manager Jim Jefferies and former Scotland captain Gary McAllister have also been mentioned.

Scotsman wanted
"It's a reasonable assumption to say we want a Scot, but I think we want to go direct to a permanent replacement rather than a caretaker manager," Taylor added. "To get someone of the equivalent stature of Walter at short notice is a difficult task, but there are certainly candidates who I'm sure are capable of doing a good job for Scotland."

Continuity required
With Smith gone, Taylor admits a level of continuity is required if Scotland are to maintain their positive start in Group B, but is still confident of qualifying for their first major finals since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. "It's a serious blow, it's a big disappointment [to lose Walter]," said Taylor. "Only time will tell how critical that has been. We have done very well so far but three of the next four matches are probably the key in terms of possible points on the board. If we win three of them we are in with a real shout of qualifying."