The Scotland national team is looking for a new head coach following Steve Clarke's resignation after the World Cup — and three big Liverpool names have been listed among the bookies' favorites
15:58, 17 Jul 2026
Steven Gerrard is being linked with the Scotland job
Steven Gerrard is being linked with the Scotland job
Three iconic Liverpool names have been listed among the bookies' favorites to become the next Scotland head coach.
Former Reds coach Steve Clarke stepped down as boss of the national team after his side was knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages. It had been the first time the Scots had made the tournament since 1998, but ended in disappointment, which sparked Clarke's resignation.
The Scottish Football Association is now on the hunt for a replacement for Clarke, who spent seven years leading his country, but the governing body is not believed to be much further forward, officially, in its search for its new leader.
According to BetVictor, though, there is a list of possible candidates to take the reins at Hampden Park and have another crack at qualifying for a major tournament and attempting to make it through the groups and into the knockout rounds.
And there are a handful of Premier League names as well as Anfield-related gaffers who could be shortlisted.
Rafael Benitez is perhaps the highest profile name on the list, who, with the bookmakers, sits at 12/1. The Spaniard has already addressed his interest in the position, having been quizzed on it last week.
Rafa Benitez is another candidate
Rafa Benitez is another candidate(Image: Europa Press Sports, Europa Press via Getty Images)
Asked specifically about Scotland by Sky Sports, Rafa said: "I’m open to only good countries, yes! That’s any country that can offer you the possibility to do something, to get something, to achieve something.
“I said that I am open to international football, yes, because I have been in a lot of different countries and teams. It’s a different way, a different approach. You have players who go fully motivated and you can organize a team in a way they will be proud for the country. It is not that when you have in Panathinaikos 33 players in the squad.
“How can you motivate the 32 or the 30 when some won’t play any game. In the national team it is different so it is another challenge and it could be interesting.”
Former Celtic and Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is also listed on BetVictor's odds list at 12/1, while Steven Gerrard is named, but he sits further out at 16/1.
The former is currently tied into a position in Saudi Arabia's Pro League with Al-Qadsiah, while Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Saudi and Al-Ettifaq back in 2025. He has won the Scottish Premiership in his career as a boss, having lifted the trophy at a canter in 2021 by a staggering 25 points over rivals Celtic.
Article continues below
Gerrard has been linked with Burnley as well as Bristol City in recent times but is still waiting for his next management opportunity having taken charge at Aston Villa in the Premier League between 2021-2022.
International management is said to be an older coach's job, which may rule Gerrard out.
Roberto Martinez, the ex-Everton, Belgium and Portugal head coach, is the favorite.