The ex Liverpool boss said he'd be open to a job in international football
Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez (Image: Getty Images)
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Gary McAllister reckons Rafa Benitez should be in the conversation to be next Scotland boss - as he would bring elite European experience to the position.
And the former Scotland captain says he is open to an invitation to join the national set-up as a coach too.
Quizzed on replacing Steve Clarke earlier this month, Benitez admitted he was open to a first job in international football after being axed by Panathinaikos in May.
The Spaniard, who has managed Euro heavyweights including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli, is among the bookies favourites to take over from Clarke who quit after Scotland’s first round exit at the World Cup.
Benitez, 66, famously led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, fighting back from 3-0 down to AC Milan in the final to win on penalty kicks.
He spent six seasons at Anfield, taking over in 2004, two years after McAllister left as a player.
And Hampden Hall of Fame member McAllister reckons he’d be a good fit for Scottish football.
He said: “I speak to the other boys who worked under Rafa, it was obviously after I left, but most of the guys I played with at Liverpool under Gérard Houllier stayed on.
“They really enjoyed working under Rafa. I think he was a good man-manager. I think he was very disciplined in his thinking and very thorough and meticulous in his preparation.
“That’s not to say the previous Scotland managers hadn’t done that.
“Just having that little bit of European experience from playing in the elite level of the Champions League would help internationally.
“Rafa is somebody who could cope with the Scottish people.
“I saw Rafa was linked. I have no inside information, but I would imagine they’re looking at interviewing people from outside Scotland.
“You know, just looking south of the border, Thomas Tuchel took over England.
“They might not be people with the profile of Tuchel. I don’t know what the Scotland job pays, but I think they’ll leave no stone unturned.
“I think they’ll be really diligent in the recruitment and in deciding how we move this forward.
“Steve has just got us to three major tournaments after a long spell of not getting to a Euros or a World Cup.
“I felt he did an amazing job. Maybe it was a wee bit hasty at the end when he decided to leave, but he’ll have thought that through meticulously. He’s done a great job for the country.”
Former Rangers and Aston Villa assistant McAllister hasn’t coached since leaving his position at Villa Park along with Steven Gerrard four years ago.
But the 61-year-old, who won 57 caps for Scotland and skippered the side at Euro 96, would be open to a position in the national set-up - should the call come.
He said: “I’m enjoying life at the moment. But yeah, it goes without saying, whenever anybody from the SFA, or any of the Scottish guys who are coaching or managing out there, asks for help, you would help at any point.
“As a former player and a former captain, everybody wants to see their country do well, and you’ll do everything you can to help.
“Whatever it is, whether that’s going to watch a game or going to watch an opponent, you would always be keen to help the manager who is in the job.”
Gary McAllister
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The first mission for whoever takes the job will be six Nations League ties home and away to Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia in September, October and November. Then come the qualifiers for Euro 2028.
Andy Robertson will be 34 and John McGinn 33 by the time that next major championship comes round.
But McAllister is convinced both stalwarts still have at least one major tournament left in them.
He said: “I certainly do. John McGinn is still only 31-years-old, and he’s been magnificent for club and country over the last 12 months.
“Yeah, I think the pair of them are still a key part of Scotland moving forward.
“Andy has shown by signing for Spurs that he’s nowhere near ready to hang his boots up.
“When you’ve seen what those two have done for their country, they won’t be pulling away from Scotland games, that’s for sure.
“I think they’ve still got a bit to give, and they’ll be keen to represent Scotland in what could be a home European Championships in two years’ time.”
* Gary McAllister spoke exclusively to Record Sport on behalf of Lottoland, who offer the latest Scottish Premiership odds