Next Scotland manager betting odds: Ange heads race to replace Steve Clarke

Ange Postecoglu is the early favourite to become Scotland’s next manager, following Steve Clarke’s resignation in the aftermath of Scotland’s World Cup campaign.

Next Scotland manager betting odds

The betting to become Scotland’s new manager is wide open at present, with no contender shorter than 4/1. Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglu is the favourite, whilst Falkirk boss John McGlynn, Everton’s David Moyes, Alex Neil from Millwall, and Scotland’s assistant manager Steven Naismith are also in the running.

Next Scotland Manager	Next Scotland Manager Odds	Implied Probability
Ange Postecoglu	4/1	20%
John McGlynn	7/1	12.5%
David Moyes	8/1	11.1%
Alex Neil	8/1	11.1%
Steven Naismith	8/1	11.1%
Roberto Martinez	10/1	9.1%
Neil McCann	14/1	6.7%

Who are the favourites to be the next Scotland manager?

With numerous candidates currently in the running to take over from Steve Clarke as Scotland manager, here’s a bit more about why each of them might be appointed.

Ange Postecoglou – The Statement Appointment

If the SFA wanted to make a statement, Ange Postecoglou would arguably be the most eye-catching appointment.

Postecoglou remains hugely admired in Scotland for his transformative spell at Celtic. He inherited a fractured squad and quickly built a side defined by relentless pressing, aggressive attacking patterns, and a clear footballing identity. More importantly, he won while doing it.

The obvious appeal is that he raises Scotland’s ceiling. His teams play proactive football rather than reactive football. That could be an exciting shift for a national side that has often relied on resilience and structure.

The question is availability and fit. International football offers less coaching time, and Postecoglou’s system depends heavily on repeated training-ground work. There is also the issue of ambition. Would a coach of his profile see Scotland as the right next step?

John McGlynn – The Builder

John McGlynn has quietly built a strong reputation as one of Scotland’s most respected coaches.

His success at clubs such as Falkirk and Raith has reinforced the view that he improves teams through coaching rather than budget.

McGlynn’s appeal lies in his football intelligence and player development. He gets more from squads than many expect, and his teams are typically well-drilled and tactically adaptable.

The obvious challenge is scale. Managing Scotland is a different proposition from club football in the lower divisions. The jump in scrutiny and expectation would be enormous.

Still, there is something compelling about rewarding coaching excellence rather than simply chasing big names.

David Moyes – Safe Hands with Proven Authority

David Moyes may not be glamorous, but he might be the most logical appointment.

Moyes has built a long managerial career on organisation, discipline and consistency. His work at Everton, West Ham and elsewhere has shown he can stabilise teams, create structure and improve players.

For Scotland, those traits matter. International football often rewards managers who can quickly establish shape and clarity rather than implement elaborate systems.

He also carries gravitas. Players would respect him instantly, and there would be little learning curve around handling media pressure or managing big personalities.

The concern is style. Some supporters might view Moyes as too pragmatic or conservative. But if the brief is qualification first and aesthetics second, he becomes a very serious contender.

Alex Neil – Modern and Underrated

Alex Neil feels like a candidate who perhaps deserves more attention than he gets.

He has accumulated significant experience in the English game with clubs including Norwich, Stoke, and most recently Millwall. He is tactically flexible, comfortable changing systems, and understands how to prepare teams for specific opponents.

That adaptability is valuable in international football, where managers often need to tailor plans to different styles within short windows.

At 45, he also offers longevity. The SFA could see him as someone capable of leading Scotland through multiple qualifying cycles.

He may lack the star power of other names, but from a pure football perspective, he makes considerable sense.

Steven Naismith – The Long-Term Project

Steven Naismith represents the modern Scottish coaching pathway.

Still relatively early in his managerial career, Naismith combines recent elite playing experience with a contemporary understanding of tactics and player psychology. His reputation as a sharp football thinker remains strong despite mixed results in management so far.

His main selling point is relatability. He understands the dressing room, understands the badge, and understands what representing Scotland means emotionally.

Right now, though, this may feel slightly early.

Naismith could become an outstanding Scotland manager one day, but the SFA would need to decide whether they want immediate certainty or long-term upside.

Roberto Martinez – The International Specialist

Roberto Martinez would be one of the more experienced international options available.

His time with Belgium showed he can manage elite players, handle tournament football and build a team around attacking talent, while his work with Portugal has kept him operating at the top end of the international game.

For Scotland, the appeal would be clear: he understands qualifying campaigns, tournament preparation and the need to get results within limited coaching windows.

The concern would be whether his more expansive style would suit Scotland’s current squad, but in terms of international pedigree, few candidates would arrive with a stronger CV.

Neil McCann – The Wild Card

Neil McCann would be the boldest and most controversial choice.

McCann speaks intelligently about the game and clearly sees tactical detail that many pundits miss. He understands Scottish football inside out and would bring passion and personality to the role.

But this would be a gamble.

His managerial experience is limited, and international management is not a place where you typically learn on the job. Scotland supporters would likely be split between those intrigued by fresh thinking and those concerned about inexperience.

That said, football increasingly rewards brave appointments. If the SFA wanted to break convention, McCann would certainly qualify.

Where can I find betting odds on the next Scotland manager?

Given the prestige of the job at stake, it’s little surprise to see a good range of bookmakers offering odds on Steve Clarke’s successor. You can make one of the operators below the newest betting site you’ve signed up to.