Is the Scotland job a poisoned chalice?

In most countries, being given the chance to coach your home nation is one of the greatest honours in football management.
 
Thousands of aspiring coaches around the world would give anything to lead their country into the World Cup Finals. 
 
However, this is far from the case in Scotland where several managers have already distanced themselves from the newly vacant position as national boss.
 
Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and Gordon Strachan are amongst the big names to have declared themselves uninterested in the role so far.
 
Hibernian boss John Hughes even had the cheek to mimick an invitation from SFA chief executive Gordon Smith in a press conference this week.
 
He joked, “Hi, is that you Gordon? No, Gordon I am not interested as I already have the best job in Scotland.”
 
In reality, the decision to step up from managing a club with the resources and ambitions of Hibs to coaching the national team should be a no-brainer.
 
But it’s easy to see the benefits of turning down the Scotland job to stay at a mid-table club side.
 
Hughes has the opportunity to bring in players from all over the world in order to improve a squad which is already pretty healthy in terms of their competition in the Scottish Premier League.
 
Conversely, the pool of talent from which any potential Scotland boss has to choose from is currently looking pretty shallow.
 
Hibs’ fans and directors are much more aware of their rivals’ greater resources and are therefore realistic about the success their club is able to achieve.
 
Scotland’s directors are unrealistic to have expected their national side to be lining up amongst the world’s best in South Africa next year when great nations like Croatia, Russia and Ukraine have all missed out.
 
The job is often described as a poisoned chalice and it’s little wonder that so many are staying well clear of the role.
 
Former boss George Burley was one win away from leading a mediocre Scotland side to the World Cup play-offs but was still sent on his high horse.
 
The team were electric in their must-win tie against Macedonia in August and looked willing to run themselves into the ground for their manager.
 
Admittedly, that was not the case in the recent friendly with Wales but, given the talent at his disposal, Burley appeared to be doing an adequate job overall.
 
The SFA might have a job finding a suitable replacement as it seems none of the main candidates are interested in succeeding him.
 
They have stated that they are in no hurry to appoint Burley’s successor, which is just as well, because it may take a miracle worker to lead the current crop of Scots to the World Cup.

Joe Elvin