Steven Naismith, who currently serves as Scotland’s assistant manager, has indicated that he intends to stay involved with the national side no matter who ultimately succeeds Steve Clarke. The 39‑year‑old was appointed to the assistant role in August 2025 and has worked closely with Clarke throughout the World Cup qualifying campaign and the subsequent tournament held this summer.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is now in the process of narrowing down a shortlist of candidates to replace Clarke, who announced his resignation a month after signing a fresh four‑year contract, following Scotland’s exit from the World Cup. Naismith, who previously held a brief spell as head coach at Heart of Midlothian, has been mentioned in the media as a possible successor, but he has stressed that his priority is to do whatever is needed to move the national team forward.
"Being with the SFA over the last few years has been a genuinely enjoyable period for me," he told Sky Sports News. "The conversations I’ve had have all centred on the fact that I’ll be involved somewhere in the set‑up.
The next manager needs to bring a certain amount of experience because this is a critical juncture for the association." He continued, "I think the appointment has to be someone with a solid track record who can build on what has already been achieved. As for me, I’m ready to help in any capacity, and that’s been my stance for the past two or three years. I’ve spent a lot of time on coach education, I’ve completed my UEFA Pro Licence, and I feel I have a useful blend of skills that I can offer.
Whatever short‑term role I’m asked to fill, I’ll take it, because I want Scotland to be as strong as it can possibly be." Other names that have surfaced as potential replacements for Clarke include former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benítez, Falkirk’s John McGlynn, and former Everton boss David Moyes. While Naismith acknowledged Moyes’s reputation, he made it clear he does not anticipate the Everton manager taking the Scotland job anytime soon.
"David Moyes is one of the best Scottish managers the country has produced," Naismith said. "He’s in a brilliant position at the moment – probably his perfect job.
To be honest, it seems unlikely that he’ll move to the national team now because Everton is in a rebuilding phase, much like when he first took charge there. So while he’s a fantastic manager and I’m sure we’ll see him in the Scotland dugout before he retires, it’s not something I expect in the immediate future." Scotland’s next fixtures arrive in September when the nation resumes its Nations League campaign.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell has expressed a desire to appoint a new head coach "as soon as we can," but he emphasized that selecting the right candidate is paramount. If a permanent manager is not secured before the September matches, the SFA may opt for an interim appointment to steer the team through the early part of the competition.
The first Nations League tie is an away game against Slovenia on 26 September, followed by three more matches within a two‑week span. The group stage comprises six games played over roughly three months, concluding with a final fixture against 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 the current cycle. The incoming manager will inherit the task of guiding Scotland toward the co‑hosted Euro 2028 tournament in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and ultimately toward qualification for the 2030 World Cup. The role therefore carries both short‑term pressure—to deliver results in the Nations League—and long‑term strategic responsibilities, including talent development and the implementation of a coherent playing philosophy. Naismith’s remarks suggest that, regardless of whether he becomes the head coach, he sees himself as a valuable asset for the SFA’s broader objectives.
His background in coach education, combined with his recent playing experience at the highest international level, positions him as a bridge between the senior squad and the next generation of Scottish talent. By completing his UEFA Pro Licence, he has demonstrated a commitment to the technical and tactical aspects of modern football management, which could prove useful whether he remains an assistant, steps into a caretaker role, or eventually takes the helm. In summary, while speculation continues around who will replace Steve Clarke, Steven Naismith has made it clear that his focus is on contributing wherever the SFA needs him.
He remains optimistic about Scotland’s future, emphasizing experience, continuity, and a willingness to adapt as the nation prepares for a crucial period of competition and planning ahead to major tournaments in 2028 and beyond.