Steven Naismith, the current Scotland assistant coach, has made it clear that he intends to stay involved with the national side no matter who ultimately takes over from Steve Clarke. The 39‑year‑old was brought into the backroom staff in August 2025 and has been a key figure throughout the World Cup qualifying campaign and the summer tournament that followed. The Scottish Football Association is now in the process of narrowing down a shortlist for Clarke’s successor after the veteran manager announced his resignation in the wake of Scotland’s World Cup exit – a decision that came just a month after he signed a fresh four‑year contract. While Naismith’s name has surfaced in the media as a potential candidate to replace Clarke, the former Hearts manager has stressed that his primary aim is to do whatever is required to move Scottish football forward.
"Working with the SFA over the past few years has been a genuinely rewarding experience for me," Naismith told Sky Sports News. "All the conversations I’ve had have centred on the fact that I’ll continue to have a role within the set‑up.
The next manager needs to bring a solid level of experience because we are at a pivotal point for the national association." He went on to explain that the ideal successor must be someone capable of building on the foundations that have already been laid. "I’m ready to help in any capacity, and that’s been my mindset for the last two or three years," he added. "I’ve spent a lot of time on coach education, I’ve completed my UEFA Pro Licence, and I feel I have a useful skill set that can benefit the team in a number of areas. Whatever short‑term tasks are required, I’ll step up because I want Scotland to reach its full potential." Among the names being floated for the top job are former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benítez, Falkirk’s John McGlynn and, of course, David Moyes.
Naismith, however, does not see Moyes as a likely candidate to take the helm. "David Moyes is arguably one of the best Scottish managers the country has produced," the former Everton striker said. "He’s currently in a brilliant position at Everton – probably his perfect role at the moment. To be honest, I think it’s unlikely he’ll make the move now because Everton are in a rebuilding phase, similar to when he first arrived.
That said, he’s a fantastic manager and I’m sure we’ll see him in the Scotland dugout before he retires." Scotland’s next competitive fixtures arrive in September, when the nation kicks off its Nations League campaign. SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell has urged the association to appoint a new boss "as soon as we can," but he also emphasised the importance of getting the right person for the job. If a permanent appointment cannot be secured before the September matches, the SFA may opt for an interim manager to steer the side through the opening games.
The first match under a new coach will be an away fixture against Slovenia on 26 September, followed by three more games within a two‑week span. The six‑team group stage will be completed over a three‑month window, culminating with a trip to face Switzerland on 16 November. Scotland were relegated from League A after a play‑off loss to Greece last year and will now compete in League B for this season’s competition. Looking ahead, the incoming manager will be tasked with guiding Scotland toward the Euro 2028 tournament, which will be co‑hosted by the United Kingdom and Ireland, and then setting the groundwork for a successful World Cup qualifying campaign four years down the line.
Naismith’s comments suggest that, regardless of whether he is appointed as head coach or remains in his assistant role, his focus will be on continuity, coach education and the long‑term development of the Scottish national team. His willingness to adapt and contribute wherever needed could prove valuable during this transitional period, especially as the SFA seeks to balance immediate results in the Nations League with the broader strategic goal of establishing Scotland as a consistent presence on the international stage. The discussion around potential candidates continues, but one thing is clear: the Scottish FA wants a leader with experience, vision and the ability to build on the progress made under Clarke. Whether that leader emerges from within the current coaching staff or arrives from outside the country, the next few months will be crucial in shaping the direction of Scottish football for the remainder of the decade.