David Moyes has attempted to distance himself from becoming Scotland’s next manager after they crashed out of Euro 2024 on Sunday night.
Scotland went into their final Group A game against Hungary knowing that realistically only a win would see them progress to the knockouts.
With the game goalless, they pushed for a late winner, but Kevin Csoboth’s goal following a blistering counter-attack in the 100th minute gave the three points to Hungary instead.
It means Scotland finish bottom of their group with just one point and two goals from three games, with the Tartan Army already on their way home.
Though they were not expected to go far at the Euros, Scotland’s underwhelming and blunt performances have raised questions about manager Steve Clarke’s tactics.
Clarke has qualified his side for the last two Euros, Scotland’s only major tournaments this century, and is contracted until 2026 but there are some who feel a change could be necessary.
If he were to leave, Moyes would be the obvious replacement, as perhaps the most prominent Scottish manager working today who has had spells at top clubs like Everton, Manchester United and West Ham.
He has just left the latter after four-and-a-half years at the London Stadium where he qualified the Irons for Europe for three seasons in a row and won the Europa Conference League in 2023.
Appearing on talkSPORT, the 61-year-old was asked whether he felt being Scotland boss was an ‘impossible job’, and replied: ‘It’s a really good job. Steve has been brilliant and that is why everybody is behind it.
‘You look at the amount of Scotland supporters who have travelled, you look at the national anthem. You look at the way supporters have behaved themselves. They have been a credit to the nation.
‘Maybe the team has fallen a little bit below that at times, but I think the supporters have been magnificent. They really have been.’
Pressed whether he would be interested in the role, Moyes suggested he wasn’t ready for a return to the dugout just yet: ‘I believe the Scotland job will be a good job for any manager.
‘Some managers, who have worked quite hard over the years, sometimes need a break and take a wee bit of time before you do anything.
‘Look, I will always stick up for managers the way I see it. None of you can say Steve Clarke has not done a terrific job. Steve has done a brilliant job.
‘Last night, was probably a night he would be disappointed. In the Germany game, it will live with him forever, we were opening the tournament. But Steve’s done a brilliant job.’
In his post-match press conference, Clarke was asked about whether he deserved to stay on after Scotland’s Euros exit, which drew a blunt and prickly response.
‘Strange question. Really strange question,’ the 60-year-old said.