Well, at least Berti’s ruled out…

By: Craig | January 16th, 2007

A national team in crisis. Outrage from the terraces. Witless administrators. Qualifying hopes tarnished.

Yep, Berti Vogts‘ appointment as Nigeria manager was always going to be contentious.

As for his old job, well, unlike the appointment of himself and Walter Smith, the SFA are wasting no time in hunting down the new man. With one eye on the first-team get-together next month, David Taylor and the Blazers want the new man in place within the fortnight.

As ever, the nature of the rumours varies from one source to the next, but most sources concur on four names: Jim Jefferies, Gary McAllister, Tommy Burns and Alex McLeish. Here are my thoughts.

Jim Jefferies - Contrary to the dour personality that comes across in the media, the Kilmarnock boss is a thoroughly likeable chap and always good for a quote. Media relations won’t be top of the SFA’s priorities but the scribblers would be more than happy. Working wonders once more at his latest posting, Jefferies is frequently held up as an example of a manager who’s consistently done the job with limited resources - an ideal criterion, you might argue, for the Scotland job. Has at least earned a crack at the big time and is rumoured to be admired in the corridors of power. Unlike some other candidates, he lacks experience with high-profile sides (ie, Celtic and Rangers) and this could prove costly. His talking-up of Killie predecessor Tommy Burns last week suggests his heart might not be in it.

Gary McAllister - Did a steady job at Coventry before his wife’s fatal illness prompted his exit. Personally, I didn’t think the former captain would be up for this gig given the mindless abuse that caused him to quit back in 1999. Tellingly, though, it wasn’t long after Smith went to Rangers that he was back in the press claiming he’s ready for a return to management and talking up the current Scotland squad. 18 months’ experience at a mid-table English Championship side is not, you have to say, ideal. One for the coaching staff?

Tommy Burns - The current Scotland assistant very quickly emerged as the Tartan Army’s choice to succeed Walter Smith and if it’s continuity the SFA are after (today’s papers suggest that Ally McCoist might be asked to stay on) then you can’t go far wrong with Burns. A relative failure in his three years in the Celtic hotseat, but it’s more experience than the above candidates have in a ‘big’ job. Media love him too. Two factors could be problematic. Firstly, he was diagnosed with cancer last year, so a long-term fix cannot be guaranteed. Secondly, just as Walter Smith couldn’t turn Rangers down, Burns is, in the cold light of day, a Celtic man and continues to work at Parkhead as a coach. The SFA would be unlikely to welcome a job-share.

Alex McLeish - It’s fair to say that initial media pointers to McLeish have not been universally welcomed by the fans, but I just don’t get it. First up, I’ve never held to the theory that great players make great managers, but for those who do, McLeish’s 77 caps (bettered only by two players) are ample evidence of his commitment to the national cause. Secondly, at Motherwell and Hibs, he has demonstrated the ability to deliver success at smaller sides. Thirdly, there is Rangers. Granted, two of his league titles were hardly won at a canter, but a haul of seven trophies in four seasons is not to be sniffed at. He also succeded where Smith failed in taking them past the group stages of the Champions League. Being an international manager would even keep him from unleashing his worst trait, ie, his novel methods of player recruitment. Only his desire to return to league football might get in the way. We’re told it’s his to lose and he’d definitely get my Vogts. Er, I mean, votes.