Scotland coach gives update on his own international future amid links to David Moyes.
Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith has confirmed he will remain involved with the national team regardless of who is appointed as Steve Clarke’s successor in the months ahead.
Naismith, 39, was appointed as Scotland’s assistant boss back in August 2025, and worked under Clarke during the team’s World Cup qualification campaign and, subsequently, the tournament itself in the summer.
However, following the team’s failure to get out of the group stages at the World Cup this summer following the 3-0 defeat against Brazil, the head coach brought down the curtain on his seven-year reign as the national team boss, despite signing a new four-year contract on the eve of the tournament, leaving Naismith’s own future uncertain.
Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith will remain with the national team despite the resignation of Steve Clarke last month.placeholder image
Scotland assistant manager Steven Naismith will remain with the national team despite the resignation of Steve Clarke last month. | (Andrew Milligan/PA)
In recent weeks, David Moyes, John McGlynn and Roberto Martinez have all been linked with the role, but whoever takes the hotseat, Naismith has confirmed he’ll remain involvement after conversations with the Scottish FA.
“The last few years have been really enjoyable for me,” Naismith told Sky Sports. “The conversations have all been that I’ll be involved somewhere. The next manager has to be someone who has that experience, because I think it’s a critical moment for us as a national association. It has to be someone with that experience that can progress what has been done.
“For me, I’m happy to help wherever that may be. That’s always been the case over the last two or three years. I’ve done a lot on the coaching education side, I’ve went through my pro license. I do feel as if I’ve got some skills in all these areas that I can contribute. Whatever I need to do in the short term, I will do. I want to make Scotland as good as it can be.
The Scotland assistant also discussed the possibility of his former Everton boss Moyes taking the reins at Hampden Park, with the 63-year-old the current bookies' favourite to be named as Clarke’s successor. The Toffees boss signed Naismith during his first stint on Merseyside, bringing him to Goodison Park on a free transfer in 2012 after he had left Rangers following their demotion to the third tier.
Ending his playing career with Hearts in 2021, Naismith featured 35 times for Moyes during the 2012/13 season and believes he would be an excellent appointment as Scotland’s next manager, but is unsure if he’d be tempted to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium at this current juncture.
“David Moyes is one of the best Scottish managers that country has produced,” said Naismith. “He’s in a brilliant job at the moment, it’s probably the perfect job. If I’m honest I think it is probably unlikely [he’ll be Scotland manager], because he’s gone into Everton at a time where they need a big rebuild. It is probably similar to when he took over the first time around. I think that one is probably unlikely, but he is a fantastic manager. Before he retires, I’m pretty sure we’ll see him in the Scotland dugout.