A manager in January?

Since November 27, when Alex McLeish left the Scotland manager post for Birmingham City, we’ve all been waiting and speculating, some even betting, on who will come in to replace him. The usual suspects, like Billy Davies, Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish have been joined by new ones like Mark McGhee, John Collins and Craig Levein. Now, it looks like an answer will be coming relatively soon.

SFA President George Peat had this to say this morning about the matter (as quoted by The Scotsman):

“We are into January now and we want the matter resolved by the end of this month. We will really set the ball in motion in a few days’ time and try to establish a preferred candidate. We don’t want to speak to people in employment unless we’re really going to go for them. That can upset clubs and we don’t want to upset a lot of clubs.”

Peat’s statement makes me think that his preferred target IS a man with a current job. I’ve never rated John Collins as an appropriate candidate, but his lack of employment might just get him an interview. Personally, I’d like to see Dalglish in the job, but we’ll see if that’s in the cards. One of the most important things, to me, is a coach that wants to end their career in this job, or at least leave that open as a possibility. Our last three managers have coached a total of 27 matches between them, and we haven’t had a manager stick around for more than twenty games since Berti Vogts. Let’s get someone in who not only wants the job, and recognizes the offer as a great honor for any Scot, but who is dedicated enough to the side not to go running after the first money bill someone wags in his face.