MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 11:20:12| >> :600:348289:348289:

Steve Clarke confirms desire to manage Scotland "at some stage"

Steve Clarke confirms desire to manage Scotland
© Reuters
The Scottish Football Association is on the hunt for a new national team boss after McLeish was sacked on Thursday.

Steve Clarke has ambitions to manage Scotland at "some stage" but refused to be drawn on the possibility of becoming the successor to Alex McLeish.

The Scottish Football Association is on the hunt for a new national team boss after McLeish was sacked on Thursday.

Kilmarnock manager Clarke is among the favourites to be his replacement and ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Aberdeen on Saturday, he was asked if he has a desire to manage the national team.

He said: "Yes, at some stage. Whether it is now or not is a matter for you guys to talk about and speculate.

"I am fully focused on finishing the season well here at Kilmarnock.

"I don't speculate, there is no point in doing that. I know how football works. I am fully focused on this job here."

Clarke confirmed he has had no contact from the SFA and did say that he would "at this moment in time, probably" prefer working day-to-day at club level rather than with an international side.

The former West Brom manager also stated that any decision he makes about his future at the end of the season would probably involve "personal life against professional life, that's the biggest decision I have to make".

The former Scotland defender said: "Whether (the SFA) get in touch or not will be down to them.

"They will do their due diligence. They will get their list of candidates and then they have to decide what to do.

"It is not that long ago since the Scotland job was available, they didn't speak to me then so I have no reason to think they will speak to me now.

"I am sad for Alex. He is a good man. Very enthusiastic about the job.

"He was down here four weeks again and I had a good chat with him and he had big hopes for the future and it just shows you how short-term football can be sometimes.

Alex McLeish File Photo
Defeat to Kazakhstan did for Alex McLeish (Jane Barlow/PA)

"So it's better for me just to concentrate on my job here and try to finish the job very well.

"I haven't thought about the job. My job here is at Kilmarnock. I am very happy here."

Clarke has also been linked with the Fulham and QPR jobs but although he hankers for a return to English football at some stage he has not been contacted by the London clubs.

He said: "I did an article a couple of weeks ago and I said I feel I have unfinished business in English football.

"I would love another crack at it. Whether it is next season or the season after I don't know.

"But I would love to have another stab at it. But (there has been) nothing from Fulham. I think that is, with all due respect to you guys, lazy journalism where I was linked with the Fulham job before and I've been thrown back into the mix.

"I haven't heard anything about London."


Click here for more stories about Steve Clarke

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
George Burley giving some sass in January 2011
Read Next:
George Burley: Sacking Alex McLeish "ridiculous"
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool35277179205988
2Manchester CityMan City34282487226586
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs342211164352967
4Chelsea35207859382167
5Arsenal34206868432566
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34197863481564
7Everton35147145044649
8Watford34147134949049
9Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34139124142-148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley35117174462-1840
16Southampton3499164057-1736
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3497183253-2134
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3535272069-4914

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account