Scotland appoint Malky Mackay as new head coach

Scotland are closing in on their next men’s national team head coach with the Scottish FA lining up a preferred candidate and aiming to confirm the appointment within two weeks.

The search comes after Scotland missed out on Euro 2024 and finished bottom of their Nations League group, prompting a clear-out of backroom staff and a fresh start under new sporting director John McGinn. The FA has moved fast, interviewing a shortlist that included top-flight domestic and international candidates, with the board now set to ratify the top choice. Sources close to the process say the preferred coach has experience in the UK or a similar football culture, but the name has not been disclosed.

Scotland last won a competitive match in June 2022 and have struggled to build momentum since Steve Clarke took over in 2019. A string of narrow defeats and unconvincing draws has left fans frustrated and the FA under pressure to deliver a competitive team. McGinn’s appointment in March signalled a reset, and the new coach will inherit a squad with young talent like Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson but still searching for identity.

If the deal is finalised, the new coach will oversee the first Nations League fixtures in September, with Scotland expected to face stronger opponents after their promotion from League B. A successful appointment could steady the ship and give fans hope ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while failure risks another cycle of instability. The FA wants to move quickly to avoid limbo and give its new leader time to stamp a style and vision before the next set of international breaks.